Valencia vs Real Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-01-02 20:00.
[p]Second-from-bottom Valencia fought back twice in a 2-2 La Liga draw against Alavés before the winter break, but that comeback wasn’t enough for Rubén Baraja to keep his job, with Carlos Corberán duly replacing him as head coach. Despite that result, the Bats are still four points from safety, and the threat of relegation to Spain’s second tier for the first time since the mid-1980s looms large as Corberán promised fans that he’s “a Valencianista who is going to work with great responsibility”.[/p]
[p]It could be a baptism by fire for him as Valencia face Real Madrid, a side against whom they have suffered the most defeats in La Liga (W47, D38, L93). Playing at the Mestalla could be a positive though, as the hosts have picked up points in a hugely impressive eight of their last ten home H2Hs (W5, D3).[/p]
[p]Madrid moved within a point of city rivals Atlético Madrid after a 4-2 win over Sevilla saw them earn a fourth victory in five games across all competitions (D1) going into the winter break. As part of that run, Carlo Ancelotti guided his side to FIFA Intercontinental Cup glory, meaning that he became the most decorated manager in the club’s history with 15 trophies en route to winning the Globe Soccer Award for being the coach of the year. Los Blancos will now look to celebrate that with a victory here that would, at least temporarily, put them top of La Liga.[/p]
[p]The visitors still have improvements to make away from home however, as their record over the last three league games on the road (W1, D1, L1) hasn’t been convincing, with five goals conceded in that sequence a matter of concern as Madrid chase a rare clean sheet at the Mestalla, something which has eluded them since January 2013.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Hugo Duro has scored two of Valencia’s last three H2H goals, including the 27th-minute opener in last season’s corresponding fixture. Looking to contribute for Ancelotti’s men will likely be VinĂcius JĂşnior, who rescued Madrid with a brace in that game (D 2-2) and has eight goals across his last six league H2Hs.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Ten of the last 11 La Liga meetings between these sides at this venue have seen both teams score.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Sridhar B[/i][/p]