Real Madrid vs Valencia Betting Preview

Kick-off: Sunday, August 27 @9:15 PM GMT

Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid)

Head to head record

Real Madrid vs Valencia 2-1 (2016/2017 La Liga)
Valencia vs Real Madrid 2-1 (2016/2017 La Liga)
Real Madrid vs Valencia 3-2 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Valencia vs Real Madrid 2-2 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Real Madrid vs Valencia 2-2 (2014/2015 La Liga)

Real Madrid vs Valencia prediction

Real Madrid will be looking to build on a 3-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna when they welcome Valencia at their Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in their first home game of the season. Los Che defeated Las Palmas in their opener, but they will have a big fish to fry in Sunday’s clash against the title holders.

CR7 still serving five-match ban

Real Madrid kicked off the new La Liga campaign with a 3-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna at Estadio Municipal de Riazor, but it has to be noted that the Galician side missed several clear-cut chances to score in the first half of the match. Anyhow, los Blancos made a flying start to the season without suspended ace Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting line-up and they are surely high on confidence ahead of Sunday’s match against Valencia. CR7 is serving his five-match ban, but he was not sorely missed in the 3-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna and it is no surprise the reigning champions are seen as hot favourites to win their first home game of the season. In Ronaldo’s absence, all eyes will be on Gareth Bale, who impressed in the opening match of the 2017/2018 La Liga campaign.
Raphael Varane and Mateo Kovacic are rated doubtful for the Valencia game, while aforementioned striker

Cristiano Ronaldo is definitely out of contention through suspension. Coach Zinedine Zidane has no other selection worries ahead of the visit of Valencia.

Promising start

Thanks to Simone Zaza’s goal Valencia recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win over Las Palmas on the opening day of the season, but you should bear in mind that the visitors played with ten men on the field from the 33rd minute of the match as Croatia international Alen Halilovic was sent off. Anyhow, los Che made a good start to the season and they are now on a quest to upset Real Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Marcelino’s men have nothing to lose in Sunday’s showdown in the Spanish capital and I believe that they are going to adopt an attack-minded approach in the La Liga derby. The club chiefs did not make too many changes to the squad in the summer transfer window and a man to watch in the away team will be aforementioned attacker Simone Zaza, who scored six goals for los Che in the 2016/2017 La Liga campaign.

Defender Ezequiel Garay picked up a knock and he will be assessed on the match day, while full-back Martin Montoya should recover in time to face Real Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Winger Nani remains in the recovery room.

Interesting Facts

• Both teams scored in each of their previous nine meetings in all competitions
• Real Madrid are eyeing their third consecutive win at home in La Liga
• It has been nine years since Valencia recorded their last win at “Bernabeu”
• CR7 was handed a five-match ban for pushing referee in the Spanish Super Cup
• Over 2.5 goals were scored in each of Real Madrid’s last four games

Real Madrid vs Valencia betting pick

Real Madrid have been producing outstanding performances in all competitions ever since coach Zinedine Zidane took over the reins. Los Blancos are undisputedly the best team in Spain and despite the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo misses the Valencia game through suspension, there is a big value in betting on the hosts.

Pick: Real Madrid to win + both teams to score

Odds: 11/10