Valencia vs Real Madrid: How to Watch, Betting Odds & Prediction

(Featured image: Alamy Images)

Written by: Mark McLaughlin

League leaders Real Madrid face a tricky away test against mid-table Valencia on Saturday as they seek to extend their lead at the top of La Liga. “Los Blancos” have not suffered defeat in the league since September as they seek to claim their 36 th La Liga title.

The hosts still remain in contention for European competition next season, and know that a positive result against Madrid will go a long way towards achieving that goal.

How to Watch Valencia vs Real Madrid in the UK:

UK viewers can watch the game on ViaPlay Sports 2 and LALIGATV. Kick-off is set for 8pm.

Recent Form:

Real Madrid:

It stands to reason that with Real Madrid in the hunt for their 15 th UEFA Champions League trophy, they will want to wrap up the league title as soon as possible. Madrid currently sits six points clear of second place Girona and eight points clear of third place Barcelona with 12 games left in the league.

Last time out, Madrid defeated Sevilla 1-0, thanks to an 81st-minute winner from Luka Modrić. The game saw Real fail to create many clear openings, partly due to the absence of their star man Jude Bellingham. Brazilian duo Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo have been key players for Madrid this season, with them scoring seven and eight goals in the league respectively.

Madrid’s defence has served as the key element in their title charge having only conceded 16 goals in the league, better than anyone in the La Liga. This, combined with their shot differential of +6.6 per game, the highest in the league, has been the main reason for their league success this season.

⚽ @ViniJr ⚽#RMCity pic.twitter.com/CWPfd2viNN
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 29, 2024

Valencia:

Valencia remains in the hunt for a Europa Conference League spot, as the ninth placed club sit six points behind Real Betis in sixth, with a game in hand. With 13 games left for the hosts, they will be looking to gain momentum in the final stretch of the season, and know that a win against Madrid will put pressure on their competition.

Los Ches' main problem this season has been chance creation, with them currently sitting bottom of the league for shots taken with 227 this season. Valencia have found goals hard to come by this season, only scoring 29 goals in their 25 league games.

Team News:

Thierry Correia misses out for the home side with a thigh injury.

Madrid's Bellingham is expected to miss out due to an ankle sprain. David Alaba, Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois are all out with long-term injuries.

Betting Odds:

Carlo Ancellotti's Madrid predictably enter as strong favourites. Coral offer Los Blancos at 4/6, with an implied probability of 60%.

Valencia enter at 9/2 with SkyBet, carrying an implied probability of 18.18%. The draw comes in at 3/1 with William Hill (an implied probability of 25%).

Prediction:

Madrid dominated Valencia at the Bernabeu earlier this season, winning 5-1 in November. OddsNow back Los Blancos to move one step closer to a 36th La Liga title this weekend.