La Liga: Real Madrid vs Valencia Predictions & Odds
Real Lose La Liga Lead
Valencia in Solid Form
Real Madrid took on Rayo Vallecano in a Madrid Derby last weekend. For the first time this season, Real failed to score in a match as proceedings finished level. With the draw, Real lost their La Liga lead to shock contenders Girona. Now, Los Blancos host a Valencia side in solid form on Saturday. Let’s make some Real Madrid vs Valencia predictions and check out the odds ahead of this La Liga showdown.
Real Madrid vs Valencia
Day/Time:
Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
Head-to-Head:
Most recently, Valencia defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in May as +280 soccer betting underdogs. In the reverse fixture last season, Real came away with a 2-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real also defeated Valencia in penalties in the Supercopa de España semifinals back in January. Carlo Ancelotti’s Real have won the last five meetings vs. Valencia at home.
Real Dominant vs Braga
Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled up with a muscle injury in warm ups for Real Madrid’s Champions League match on Wednesday. So, with first choice keeper Thibaut Courtois out with an ACL tear, third-stringer Andriy Lunin made the start. Lunin wasted no time making an impact as he saved a Braga penalty in the first five minutes of the match. Brahim Diaz, in a rare start, managed to score Real Madrid’s first goal.
Vinicius Junior had a stellar second half, as he scored a goal and provided an assist. Real’s third goal was excellent as Rodrygo chipped the keeper at the end of an electric counter attack. Real are now a perfect 4-0 in the Champions League following the 3-0 win over Bragha. They are also -165 La Liga betting favorites to win the Spanish top flight. Ahead of Saturday’s match vs. Valencia, we should note that Jude Bellingham missed Wednesday’s game with a shoulder injury.
He is expected to be ready to start this weekend but Courtois, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eder Militao are out. Arrizabalaga’s status should be monitored and defender Antonio Rudiger is suspended. So, Real could be a bit short handed for this one. Regardless, one of our Valencia vs Real Madrid predictions is that Los Blancos will get on the scoresheet here. They drew 0-0 last weekend vs. Rayo Vallecano but haven’t failed to score in consecutive La Liga games since December 2019.
Valencia Excelling Despite Inexperience
Last week was a good one for Ruben Baraja and Valencia. Los Murcielagos took on third-tier Logrones in the Copa del Rey first round last Thursday and came away with a 2-0 win. On Sunday, Valencia hosted Granada in a La Liga contest. Valencia’s defense was on it, as Granada had precious few chances. Late in the first half, Valencia won a soft penalty but Pepelu made no mistake converting it.
Valencia improved to 5-3-4 on the season with a 1-0 win and are unbeaten in their last four La Liga games. Notably, Valencia is second-to-last in the La Liga team stats, with 10.3 shots per game. Still, they’ve managed a +2 goal difference and currently sit in eighth place. Valencia is also the youngest team in the league and their five players who have logged the most minutes this season are all 25 or under.
Forward Hugo Duro, 23, leads Valencia with five goals and he’s also provided two assists. Javi Guerra, a 20-year-old midfielder, is one of the brightest young talents in the league as well. However, Valencia may be missing Mouctar Diakhaby and André Almeida for Saturday’s match.
Match Analysis & Odds
Even if Arrizabalaga is out again for Real Madrid vs. Valencia, Lunin has proven to be a worthy option. Real also defeated a Champions League team on Wednesday without Jude Bellingham, who has so often been their savior this season. From midfield, Bellingham still leads La Liga in goals, with 10 so far. Getting him back in this match could be key for Real. David Alaba sat out the Champions League match but will be important with Rudiger out.
With all of the uncertainty surrounding Real’s starting XI this weekend, they’re still -305 favorites and they opened at -290. Anything is possible with Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior in the lineup. Meanwhile, Valencia is +750 underdogs and a draw displays +460 odds here. Even though Tchouaméni is out for real, Carlo Ancelotti is lucky to have Swiss army knife Eduardo Camavinga.
Our Valencia vs Real Madrid prediction is that Real come away with a win here and score more than one goal in the process. Valencia are on a four-game unbeaten run but are just 1-3-2 on the road so far. They’ve also conceded twice or more four times this season. Bettors can take Real Madrid at -1.5 at -110 and Valencia at +1.5 at the same odds. Under three goals are also priced at -125 odds for this one.
For La Liga betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
