Real Madrid vs Valencia
When Valencia visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday they will come up against a Real Madrid side in desperate need of points and with a thirst for revenge.
Valencia put a big dent in Los Blancos’ 2021 La Liga title hopes back in November with a 4-1 victory and Zinedine Zidane’s team have been playing catch up ever since. And while this was once a top of the table clash, it now looks like a home banker for the title chasers against a team aiming to pull away from the relegation zone.
Javi Gracia took over as head coach at the Mestalla at the start of the season and he’ll be hoping to at least match Valencia’s ninth-placed finish from 2019/20, and another surprising result against Los Blancos would certainly give his players the belief they have been lacking.
Talking Points
Real Madrid unconvincing without Ramos
With Atletico Madrid the clear favourites to lift the title, Los Blancos and Barcelona are in a desperate chase. The very latest La Liga 2021 betting odds here at SBOTOP give the Blaugrana a very slight edge at odds of 6.50 to catch Los Rojiblancos, with Real at 6.80 to pip them both.
But it is a big ask with Atleti at 1.34; and Los Blancos recent La Liga 2021 results don’t inspire much confidence. The leaders offered some encouragement on Monday, failing to beat Celta Vigo and Real took the invitation by beating Getafe the following day. But without captain marvel Sergio Ramos, out with a knee injury, Los Blancos have been unconvincing.
Head coach Zinedine Zidane might be feeling the pressure. Fixtures like a home game against Levante should have been a routine win, but the Whites fell to a 2-1 defeat and then Real just scraped past lowly Huesca with a 1-0 win before making it six points from two games against Getafe.
So they are just about back in the hunt and with a home record of seven wins and three defeats it looks like win or bust on Sunday.
In the absence of Ramos, Casemiro is a big figure in midfield to show some leadership, while the lingering injuries to Lucas Vazquez and Eden Hazard have placed the weight of goal scoring on the shoulders of Karim Benzema yet again. The France striker has 16 goals in all competitions and was on target to get Real going against Getafe.
Valencia looking over the shoulder
While Valencia sit just below half way in the league table, in 12th, Los Che are still in a precarious position, at the head of three teams on 24 points but only four above the drop zone. Javi Gracia’s side should have too much quality to get embroiled in a relegation scrap, but they can not yet feel secure.
Valencia have struggled in their last two away games to top sides, which both resulted in comprehensive defeats, a 3-0 Copa del Rey exit to Sevilla and a 3-1 league defeat against leaders Atletico Madrid. In fact, Los Che have only won two of their last 13 games, earning seven draws on that uninspiring run.
Midfielder Carlos Soler is the key man with six goals and five assists, while striker Maxi Gomez has five goals, and Danish midfielder Daniel Wass is a big figure in the middle of the park, comfortable on the ball and strong in the tackle.
The visitors may see some hope in Los Blancos’ injury woes, but they have concerns of their own, with defensive duo Eliaquim Mangala and Cristiano Piccini both out injured; something to whet Benzema’s appetite.
History
Los Blancos have enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture, winning 34 of the 62 meetings since 1993, while Valencia have managed 14 victories and there have been 14 draws.
Real Madrid haven’t lost to Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu in the last 14 meetings, winning this fixture 3-0 last season, but the memory of the November disaster at the Mestalla looms large for Zidane’s men. Benzema gave Los Blancos a lead before Valencia hit back and Soler scored a hat-trick of penalties.
Recent form over the past six games is comparable, Real Madrid have won three and lost three, while Valencia have won two drawn two and lost two.
Betting Tip
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Real Madrid vs Valencia | Real Madrid Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.19 |
| February 14, 23:15 (GMT+8) |
Real Madrid are hot favourites to win this game at 1.39, with the draw at 4.19 and Los Che at 7.53 to grab an unlikely three points.
Los Blancos haven’t been firing on all cylinders recently but reducing the gap to the top by a couple of points will encourage the hosts and they will be on the front foot from the off against a modest Valencia side.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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