Valencia vs. Real Madrid: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Mestalla has not been a happy hunting ground for Real Madrid of late, and Álvaro Arbeloa’s injury-hit squad must shake off last weekend’s unconvincing display if they are to keep pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Valencia, hovering just a point above the relegation zone in 16th, welcome the league leaders on Sunday hoping to spring another surprise after Rayo Vallecano came within moments of a shock result at the Bernabéu.

Madrid needed a 100th-minute winner and a red card to Pathe Ciss to subdue Rayo, and the visitors’ second-half dominance until the dismissal will have given Carlos Corberán plenty of encouragement. Los Che have won only five league fixtures all season, yet their midweek Copa del Rey loss to Athletic Club was decided by a late goal, suggesting the competitive edge remains.

Historical context favours the home side: Madrid have won only once in their last three league trips to Valencia, each victory since 2021 arriving by a single goal. With Vinicius Junior suspended and Jude Bellingham sidelined for several weeks with a hamstring issue, Arbeloa is likely to field a youthful supporting cast behind Kylian Mbappé. Franco Mastantuono kept his place after a quiet hour against Rayo, while Brahim Díaz is in contention and Rodrygo’s availability is uncertain after he missed Thursday training. Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rüdiger could return, but Trent Alexander-Arnold and Éder Militão remain out.

Corberán expects to recall captain José Gayà at left-back, and top scorer Hugo Duro—seven goals in 21 league outings—may rejoin the starting XI after a cameo off the bench in the cup. Cristian Rivero is suspended, and Thierry Correia plus Julen Agirrezabala are battling hamstring problems.

Predicted lineups

Valencia (4-4-2): Dimitrievski; Foulquier, Cömert, Copete, Gayà; Rioja, Ugrinic, Pepelu, Danjuma; Duro, Beltrán.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Mastantuona, Güler, Díaz; Mbappé.

Verdict

A patched-up Madrid still possess match-winning quality in Mbappé, yet the absences of Vinicius and Bellingham strip away the safety net that has papered over recent flat spells. Valencia, fighting for survival and backed by a raucous Mestalla, have the pace on the break and set-piece threat to trouble an inexperienced back four. Expect a tight contest, but the champions’ depth might just edge it—though another single-goal margin or even a share of the spoils would hardly be a shock.

SEO keywords