Real Madrid vs Real Valladolid Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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‘Galacticos 2.0’ began well in the UEFA Super Cup but Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid were then held to a 1-1 draw in the Balearic Islands against Real Mallorca last weekend. Real Valladolid, on the other hand, edged past Espanyol on the opening day of the season.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 25th August, 2024 - UK – 4:00pm / US ET – 11:00am / US PT – 8:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Madrid vs Real Valladolid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL MADRID PREVIEW: DISCOVERING THE STYLE AND SYSTEM
In Warsaw, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid began their search for the first of seven possible trophies this season with an impressive 2-0 defeat of last season’s UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta with star signing Kylian Mbappe scoring his first goal for the club thanks to an assist from Jude Bellingham.
In Palma de Mallorca, Real Madrid’s new look front three took an early lead against a worried Real Mallorca via Rodrygo in the 13th minute but Jago Arrasate’s side were able to frustrate and blunt Madrid for the rest of the match with Kosovo international striker Vedat Muriqi scoring a second-half equaliser.
REAL VALLADOLID PREVIEW: POSITIVE START FOR VALLADOLID
Real Valladolid returned to La Liga as Segunda runners’ up last season and have managed to return the impressive services of manager Uruguayan coach Paulo Pezzolano over the summer. They have recruited very specifically and quite impressively with their owner and chairman Brazilian football legend, Ronaldo.
Valladolid began their return to the top-flight with a slender 1-0 defeat of Espanyol last weekend at Estadio Jose Zorrilla. One of their aforementioned new signings Raul Moro was the match winner in that game with a 23rd minute goal but that was their only shot on target in the match with Espanyol only managing two.
REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS: LEFT-SIDED ISSUES
Late on in that game against Real Mallorca, Ferland Mendy was sent off for Real Madrid and he will therefore be suspended for this weekend’s visit of Valladolid to the Bernabeu.
David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga both remain unavailable with left-sided issues a key concern for Carlo Ancelotti because all four of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo gravitate to that side of the pitch.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Rudiger, Militao, Fran Garcia; Fede Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
UNAVAILABLE: Alaba (Injured), Mendy (Suspended), Camavinga (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL VALLADOLID TEAM NEWS: NO FRESH ISSUES
Paulo Pezzolano is something of a progressive and generally attacking manager but his Real Valladolid side resorted to classic Segunda tactics to grind out their victory against Espanyol.
Travelling to the capital to face the Spanish and European champions means that Valladolid are expected to once again be quite defensive and rigid in their 4-5-1 system.
PREDICTED XI (4-5-1): Hein; Luis Perez, Javi Sanchez, Boyomo, Rosa; Ndiaye, Kike Perez, Cumart, Amallah, Raul Moro; Sylla
UNAVAILABLE: Anuar (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL MADRID VS REAL VALLADOLID PREDICTION
Despite their slow start to La Liga and the frustration they evidently showed for large parts of their UEFA Super Cup triumph over Real Madrid, there are still extremely high expectations of the new look Real Madrid without the tempo setter of Toni Kroos in midfield as well as the signing of Mbappe but it may take time for things to come together. Given that Valladolid will go to primarily frustrate and limit the damage to the scoreline, Madrid should win but it may not be overly convincing.
REAL MADRID VS REAL VALLADOLID TIP: REAL MADRID TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
