Real Madrid will attempt to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they resume domestic matters on Saturday evening with a contest against Valencia at Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti's side, who are second in the table, drew 0-0 with Rayo Vallecano in La Liga last weekend, while eighth-placed Valencia recorded a 1-0 win over Granada last time out.
Match preview
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Real Madrid booked their spot in the last-16 stage of the Champions League with two games to spare courtesy of a 3-0 success over Braga on Wednesday evening, with Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo on the scoresheet for the most successful side in the history of European football.
However, Los Blancos were held to a goalless draw by Rayo in the league last weekend, and they have only actually won one of their last three in Spain's top flight, which proved to be El Clasico at the end of October.
Ancelotti's side are no longer at the top of the table, with Girona, who are having an extraordinary campaign, at the summit on 31 points, two points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, while Barcelona are two points behind their Clasico rivals in third position.
Real Madrid will be desperate to enter the international break off the back of a league success, and they have won each of their last five home La Liga games with Valencia, including a 2-0 victory in the corresponding match during the 2022-23 campaign.
Valencia recorded a 1-0 win when the two teams last met at Mestalla in May, though, and Los Che will certainly be the fresher of the two teams due to Real Madrid's European commitments.
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Valencia finished 16th in Spain's top flight last term, which proved to be their worst final position in La Liga since being relegated to the Segunda Division at the end of the 1985-86 campaign.
Los Che have shown plenty of positives in the early months of this season, though, boasting a record of five wins, three draws and four defeats from 12 matches to collect 18 points, which has left them in eighth spot.
Ruben Baraja's side are only three points behind fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao and will certainly have their eyes on a potential European spot this term, with a youthful squad boasting a lot of talent.
Valencia will bring a five-game unbeaten run into this contest, winning three of their last four games in all competitions, including a 1-0 success over Granada in La Liga last time out, with Pepelu's first-half penalty proving to be the difference between the two sides.
Los Che boast one of the biggest young talents in La Liga, with Javi Guerra's performances drawing a host of attention, and the 20-year-old will again be looking to impress on Saturday evening, with a strong performance against Real Madrid potentially increasing the interest.
Team News
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Real Madrid's injury list is growing, with Kepa Arrizabalaga picking up a muscular problem during the warm-up ahead of the Braga clash, so Andriy Lunin is set to start between the sticks here.
Aurelien Tchouameni is also out until at least December with a broken foot, while Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois are long-term absentees due to serious knee injuries.
Arda Guler has also suffered a fresh fitness setback, with the Turkey international, who is still waiting to make his first appearance of the club, unavailable this weekend.
Dani Ceballos is also still out despite recently returning to training after a muscular problem, while Antonio Rudiger is out of this match through suspension, so Nacho is likely to feature in the middle.
Jude Bellingham was only a substitute against Braga due to concerns over a sore shoulder, and he has been ruled out of this match at a late stage.
As for Valencia, Andre Almeida, Mouctar Diakhaby, Jesus Vazquez and Alberto Mari remain unavailable for selection due to injury problems.
Selim Amallah is also a doubt due to the issue that forced him off early against Granada last time out, which could lead to Dimitri Foulquier featuring in a wide position from the first whistle.
Hugo Duro, who has scored five times in Spain's top flight last season, overcame an injury to feature against Granada, and he should again operate in the final third of the field.
Diego Lopez has scored twice in the league in 2023-24, meanwhile, and the 21-year-old is also expected to retain his attacking role for Saturday's contest in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Lunin; Carvajal, Nacho, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Diaz; Vinicius, Rodrygo
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Correia, Mosquera, Paulista, Gaya; Perez, Pepelu, Guerra, Foulquier; Lopez, Duro
We say: Real Madrid 2-1 Valencia
Valencia are capable of making this an uncomfortable match for Real Madrid, with Los Che boasting a number of talented players in the forward positions. Los Blancos will be determined to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight, though, and we are backing them to navigate their way to all three points on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
