Valencia are unbeaten in back-to-back La Liga matches. Their recent upturn in form has them 14th in the standings. Three points now separate Valencia from the relegation zone with four matches left to play.
On Sunday, Los Che will host Real Madrid at the Mestalla. Valencia are winless in five straight matches against Madrid going into matchday No 35.
The boys continue #ValenciaRealMadrid preparations💪#VCFDNA🧬 pic.twitter.com/K02huYLihW— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) May 18, 2023
The boys continue #ValenciaRealMadrid preparations💪#VCFDNA🧬 pic.twitter.com/K02huYLihW
Madrid are fresh off a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester City in the Champions League semifinals. Los Blancos meekly bowed out of the competition at the hands of City. Madrid are second in La Liga and two points ahead of third-place Atletico Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team doesn’t have much to play for in their final four league matches. Barcelona have already secured the title, meaning Madrid simply want to hang on to second place.
Following the loss to Man City, Madrid are expected to make several moves in the offseason to overhaul the squad.
Real Madrid defeated Valencia 2-0 in February. Marco Asensio and Vinicius Jr scored in the second half to send Madrid to the win. Valencia’s Gabriel Paulista was sent off with a straight red card in the second period.
Valencia’s form has improved in recent matches. Los Che took 10 points from the last 18 points on offer in the league. They outscored their last eight opponents 8-7. Valencia are unbeaten in five of their last six matches in the league at Mestalla.
Madrid picked up 12 points from the last six matches in the league. They scored 11 goals and conceded eight times. Real Madrid are on a two-game losing streak, which could give Valencia hope of picking up all three points.
Ancelotti has no fresh injury concerns going into matchday No 35. He may need to rotate the team following Wednesday’s 4-0 loss to Manchester City.
Valencia coach Ruben Baraja has some personnel worries. Defenders Paulista and Mouctar Diakjaby are both suspended. Forward Marco de Sousa is ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
No team in La Liga has scored more goals than Real Madrid’s 70. The team conceded the fourth-fewest goals in the league with just 32. Valencia scored just 38 times in 34 matches and conceded 41 goals.
Although Valencia have improved under Baraja, they should lose once more to Real Madrid. Los Blancos will rebound from Wednesday’s disappointment with a 2-1 win at Mestalla.