Real Madrid vs Valencia

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu is the venue as Real Madrid and Valencia trade tackles in a thrilling La Liga match-up.

Firmly in contention for a coveted treble after winning four of their last six matches in all competitions via a single-goal margin, including three on the trot in La Liga, Real Madrid head into this round, bidding to haul back a three-point deficit to pacesetters Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti’s side fought back to beat Leganes 3-2 at home last weekend before overhauling a two-goal deficit to hold Real Sociedad to a 4-4 draw in midweek Copa del Rey action en route to locking down a final berth. Another home clash can inspire further confidence, with Los Merengues avoiding defeat across their last eight league games at the Bernabeu (W7, D1). That’s not to mention they’re on an impressive 11-game unbeaten home streak against upcoming rivals Valencia in La Liga (W7, D1). 

Visiting manager Carlos Corberan must become the first-ever Valencia manager to beat Ancelotti on this ground (D2, L3) to keep the visitors away from the bottom three. Los Che’s survival hopes have soared amid a promising-looking run of just one defeat from their last eight La Liga fixtures (W4, D3), including a four-match unbeaten streak in the build-up to this clash (W2, D2). Avoiding defeat in Madrid would mark Valencia’s fifth consecutive La Liga game without losing for the first time since October 2022. However, that’s easier said than done, considering they’ve lost all six matches against the current top four this term! Furthermore, their last away league victory against any opposition dates back to April 2024 (D8, L9).