Real Madrid-Valencia is a Week 17 La Liga replay and will be played on Thursday at 21:00: fixtures, predictions, TV and streaming
Real Madrid’s enthusiasm was boosted by their round-robin victory in the Copa del Rey derby against Atletico, followed by victories against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao, but last weekend Real Madrid came up against the wall of a proud Real Sociedad side, who put up a superb defensive performance at the Bernabeu.
The goalkeeper Remiro parried everything, forcing Carlo Ancelotti’s side into a 0-0 draw that further distanced the Blancos from the summit and arch-rivals Barcelona. A day earlier, in fact, the blaugrana had beaten their cousins Girona’s stadium with a Pedri goal, taking them to +5. Much regret for the Italian coach, as his Real side deserved the three points for what they had managed to build up over the ninety minutes. Merengues therefore still had to chase, although in the meantime they must watch their backs against Real Sociedad themselves, third and only three points away. If the objective is to repeat last year’s title, avoiding it ending up in ‘enemy’ hands, Real Madrid can make no more mistakes.
Valencia, the post-Gattuso era begins
And, while waiting for good news from the other tie between Betis and Barcelona, Benzema and his teammates will have to beat Valencia, who they faced not even a month ago in the Super Cup Final Four and only lost on penalties.
Side
We won’t tell you about another vis a vis between master Ancelotti and pupil Gattuso, who greeted each other less than warmly in Jeddah after the Emilian coach admitted that relations had cooled for a while. Gattuso, in fact, has not been Valencia’s coach for a few days now: a decision taken in agreement with the club after yet another defeat, this time at Real Valladolid, which plunged the Bats to just one point from the relegation zone. The Bianconeri for now have been entrusted to Voro, who as has often happened to him in the past will act as a ferryman.
The prediction
Real Madrid should not commit any more missteps, taking advantage of a Valencia in deep crisis. The guests are unlikely to have a surge of pride like they did in the Super Cup. The record, however, makes Ancelotti happy: Real has never lost in the last fourteen matches played at the ‘Bernabeu’ against the Bats. The total goals could be at least two.
Real Madrid v Valencia line-up probables
- REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Courtois; Nacho, Rüdiger, Militao, Camavinga; Modric, Tchouaméni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Rodrygo.
- VALENCIA (4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Gayà, Diakhaby, Cömert, Foulquier; Guillamón, Almeida, Musah; Castillejo, Lino, Cavani.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
