Real Madrid aims to recover from a 1-1 draw against RCD Mallorca in their La Liga opener as they prepare to host Real Valladolid at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Kylian Mbappe is poised to make his full home debut for Los Blancos, having only previously participated in the UEFA Super Cup and the recent tie against Mallorca. Carlo Ancelotti is not overly concerned about the team’s sluggish start but recognizes the importance of accumulating points, especially with Barcelona’s victory in their opening match.
Valladolid comes into this match with a victorious 1-0 debut against RCD Espanyol, placing them fourth in the early-season standings. With only four teams securing wins in their first games, Paulo Pezzolano’s side stands out. However, they face a challenging schedule soon, contending with Barcelona, Real Sociedad, Sevilla, and Mallorca before the end of September, which could prove pivotal for their season.
Match details and viewing options are as follows:
Date: Sunday, August 25 | Time: 11 a.m. ET
Location: Santiago Bernabeu – Madrid, Spain
TV: ESPN Deportes | Live Stream: Fubo (free trial available)
Odds: Real -700; Draw +700; Valladolid +1800
In their last outing, Real Madrid’s quest for their first win of the 2024-25 La Liga season is crucial, especially after the draw in Mallorca. Though they celebrated a win against Atalanta with Mbappe scoring his first goal, the match against Mallorca served as a reality check when Vedat Muriqi equalized Rodrygo’s opening goal. Valladolid’s triumph over Espanyol, thanks to a goal from Raul Moro, gives them momentum.
In terms of team news, Real Madrid’s David Alaba is sidelined but hopes to return post-international break, while Eduardo Camavinga is expected to be unavailable until the end of September due to injury. His absence is significant as he typically covers for the suspended Ferland Mendy. The expected lineup for Real includes Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Vazquez; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vini Jr.
Valladolid, under Pezzolano, has integrated several new players into their squad, with Hein, Comert, Moro, and Ndiaye making notable contributions to the starting XI. Their anticipated lineup features Hein; L Perez, Sanchez, Boyomo, Rosa; Ndiaye, K Perez, Comert, Amallah, Moro; Sylla.
As for predictions, Real Madrid is expected to recover from their slow start and secure a well-deserved victory. Rodrygo aims to make his mark while Ancelotti strives to optimize the performances of Mbappe and Vini Jr. The expected outcome is a 2-0 win for Real Madrid against Valladolid.