Valencia vs Real Madrid Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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At the time of writing around 72 hours before the clash between Valencia and Real Madrid the game is still going ahead but the deadly storm that has hit the city of Valencia does mean the game at Mestalla is in doubt.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 2nd November, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 4:00pm / US PT – 1:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Valencia vs Real Madrid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
VALENCIA PREVIEW: THE FALLEN GIANT
As mentioned, there has been deadly flooding in Valencia that has seen over 50 people die in the city with the Valencians’ Copa del Rey first round tie against Parla Espuela in Madrid in midweek postponed. They have significantly underperformed throughout the last few years and they begin the weekend sitting rock-bottom in La Liga after 11 matches.
The Valencians returned from the October international break by losing 3-2 at home to previously winless and bottom-of-the-table Las Palmas at Mestalla. That was then followed up by a 1-1 draw against Getafe at the Coliseum in which they had led for nearly an hour before Mauro Arambarri’s 90th minute equaliser from the spot.
REAL MADRID PREVIEW: NEEDING A RESPONSE
Off the pitch, Real Madrid have been up to their usual entitlement and whinging with Rodri pipping Vinicius Junior to the Ballon d’Or. Carlo Ancelotti may well be under pressure at Real Madrid, too, though, with performances and results not the best distraction from their fairly embarrassing and petty actions this week.
Los Blancos were annihilated at the Bernabeu last weekend in the Clasico, losing by four goals to nil at home to arch-rivals Barcelona. They have underwhelmed throughout the campaign and relied upon second-half moments of magic following a bit of a shake-up in the summer that saw the arrival of Kylian Mbappe as well as the departures of several senior players.
VALENCIA TEAM NEWS: NO PEPELU
Valencia have been able to welcome back left-back Jose Luis Gaya for this one but key midfielder Pepelu remains unavailable for the hosts due to suspension.
Other than Pepelu, they are without Mouctar Diakhaby due to an ACL injury and striker Rafa Mir who remains under investigation and internally suspended for alleged rape.
PREDICTED XI (5-4-1): Mamardashvili; Correia, Cesar Tarrega, Cristhian Mosquera, Caufriez, Jose Luis Gaya; Diego Lopez, Barrenechea, Javi Guerra, Luis Rioja; Hugo Duro
UNAVAILABLE: Diakhaby (Injured), Jesus Vazquez (Injured), Pepelu (Suspended), Rafa Mir (Disciplinary)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS: KEY INJURIES
Real Madrid head to Mestalla this weekend with several injury concerns and several key players such as ACL injury absentees David Alaba and Dani Carvajal.
As well as the absent defensive duo, Los Blancos are without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Brazil international forward Rodrygo, who both missed the Clasico last weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-2-1-2): Lunin; Lucas Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Tchouameni; Fede Valverde, Camavinga; Bellingham; Vinicius Junior, Mbappe
UNAVAILABLE: Courtois (Injured), Alaba (Injured), Dani Carvajal (Injured), Rodrygo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
VALENCIA VS REAL MADRID PREDICTION
Valencia, if the game does go ahead, will need to take inspiration from the fact it is such a big game that they are involved in in order to find something worthy. Real Madrid have not been impressive and can hardly be trusted to beat anyone convincingly at the moment but the last seven days should prompt a result from Los Blancos and, as a result, a Madrid victory, potentially comfortably, is to be expected at Mestalla.
VALENCIA VS REAL MADRID TIP: REAL MADRID TO WIN
