Real Madrid will take on Valencia at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, following a thrilling week that saw them secure a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clásico. Under the leadership of coach Xabi Alonso, the team is currently at the top of the La Liga standings, enjoying a five-point lead over Hansi Flick’s side, who will compete against Elche on Sunday.
In a press conference before the match, Alonso discussed plans for squad rotation, particularly with a Champions League clash against Liverpool scheduled for Tuesday. “There might be rotations, but not with Tuesday in mind, but with tomorrow and Valencia in mind. In the Champions League, you can lose points and then recover them, but in La Liga, it’s not like that because it’s a marathon. We’re going at a good pace, but we don’t want to drop off. I’m thinking about Valencia and Rayo and finishing this block well,” he explained.
Fans can catch the match live at 4 p.m. ET, with streaming available on ESPN+. The odds reflect Real Madrid as the favorite with -581, while a draw is set at +681 and Valencia at +1325.
Alonso also addressed the recent frustration expressed by Vinícius Jr during the match against Barcelona, stating that he had a productive meeting with the player afterward. “On Wednesday, after the two days off, we had a meeting with everyone and he was impeccable. He spoke from the heart, with sincerity. I was very satisfied, and from that moment, for me, the matter was settled,” he said, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the upcoming match.
For Saturday’s game, the expected lineup for Real Madrid includes Thibaut Courtois, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Franco Mastantuono, Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo. Valencia’s likely starters are Julen Agirrezabala, Thierry Correia, Cesar Tarrega, Jose Copete, Jose Gaya, Luis Rioja, Javier Guerra, Pepelu, Diego Lopez, Arnaut Danjuma, and Lucas Beltran.
Given Real Madrid’s dominant position in La Liga and their recent form, the prediction for Saturday’s match leans toward a convincing win for the home team. Many anticipate a scoreline of Real Madrid 3, Valencia 0, highlighting the team’s potential to continue their winning momentum. This match could serve as an important step forward as they balance their domestic ambitions with their European challenges.