Valencia vs Real Madrid: Preview, predictions and lineups

Real Madrid return from their winter break on Friday evening when they travel to Valencia in La Liga.

Los Blancos haven’t been in action since their 4-2 win over Sevilla before Christmas but make their domestic comeback at the Mestalla. This fixture was postponed back in November following fatal flooding in the Valencian region but has been rescheduled for Friday night.

Madrid know the importance of victory at Valencia, with three points lifting them above local rivals Atletico Madrid into first place. It also marks the beginning of three games in seven days, with Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana fixtures coming in quick succession.

Los Che will not be excited by the proposition of Madrid’s visit. Former West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan takes charge of his first match with Valencia languishing in 19th, without a win in their previous five La Liga outings.

Here is 90min’s guide to Valencia vs Madrid.

Valencia vs Real Madrid H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Valencia vs Real Madrid on TV – UK and US

Corberan has been greeted by a busy treatment room upon his arrival at Valencia, with Mouctar Diakhaby, Jose Gaya and Thierry Correia all missing from the defence. The latter will be absent for the remainder of the campaign.

Fran Perez and Rafa Mir are both doubts and star goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili could also miss out again. The Georgian hasn’t featured since early December and is struggling with a thigh injury.

Influential midfielder Pepelu will be unavailable through suspension after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season against Deportivo Alaves before the winter break.

Valencia predicted lineup vs Real Madrid

Valencia predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Dimitrievski; Foulquier, Mosquera, Gasiorowski, Rioja; Barrenechea, Guerra; Canos, Almeida, Lopez; Duro.

Carlo Ancelotti still finds himself without three key defenders heading into Friday’s clash, with strengthening the backline likely the priority if any signings are made in January. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are out for the season, while David Alaba is unlikely to return until later in the month after a long injury layoff.

Vinicius Junior will return to the starting lineup after missing the victory over Sevilla through suspension and he will be joined by Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe in the XI. The latter is starting to turn the corner after a tough start in Spain.

Aurelien Tchouameni is likely to fill in at centre-back once again following injuries, with Eduardo Camavinga stepping into defensive midfield. Fran Garcia could start over the out-of-form Ferland Mendy at left-back, too.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Valencia

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Valencia (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Garcia; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.

Corberan will be hopeful of making an immediate impact in Valencia but injuries and a general lack of quality in key areas means another defeat is on the cards this Friday. The hosts have won just two matches in La Liga – the fewest of any team in the division – and they have accumulated just nine points from eight home games.

Madrid have been inconsistent on the road this season, winning four, drawing four and losing one of their nine outings. However, with a wealth of attacking options at their disposal, they should have enough firepower to convincingly overcome Valencia.

Prediction: Valencia 1-3 Real Madrid

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