Red hot Valencia look to take another step towards the top 4 as they host a Zidane led Real Madrid at Mestalla in a massive game for the home side!
Currently Valencia are 6th in the table, however with a win they could move into 5th and get within 1 point of 4th places Getafe who are currently occupying the final Champions League spot.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid aren’t exactly playing for much more than 2nd place. Currently placed 3rd in the table, Madrid could move within 2 pts of their City rivals Atletico in 2nd, but other than that they’re not in the title race as they’re 13 pts off the top nor are they in danger of falling out of top 4 as they’re 10 pts clear. Real Madrid are really just playing for nothing other than try to get some confidence heading into the next season.
Valencia have been showing some incredible form. Ever since starting the season slow and seemingly being out of the top 4 battle, they’ve had a resurgence. Valencia are unbeaten in 16 straight games in all competitions (9W 7D) and are coming off a fantastic away win at Sevilla 0-1 which is one of the toughest places to win at so expect Valencia to be at the top of their game against Real Madrid.
As for Real Madrid, after getting eliminated in CL they bounced back with 3 straight wins against Valladolid then won their first 2 games since Zidane’s return against Celta Vigo and Huesca. Obviously Valencia away is going to be the toughest challenge since Zidane’s return as the other sides are all fighting for survival so it’ll be interesting to see how Madrid do against one of the most in form sides in the world right now.
Valencia’s home record in La Liga has been nothing spectacular only 22 pts from their total 43. However most of Valencia’s struggles came early in the season. Valencia have only lost 1 league home game this season however they’ve only won 4 and drew a ridiculous 10 of their 15 league games at Mestalla so they’re near invincible but also a place where opponents can take pts from them strangely enough. Valencia’s home form has been exceptional lately though, in fact no defeats since November at Mestalla going 17 games unbeaten at home since in all competitions (12W 5D). Valencia have the 2nd best defensive home record as well with just 8 goals conceded in the league at Mestalla, although they only scored 16 themselves making their home games very low scoring at home in La Liga.
Real Madrid’s away form has been spectacular lately. Unbeaten in 8 straight away games in La Liga (7W 1D), currently won 6 straight away from home in La Liga and across all competitions Real Madrid have lost just 1 of their last 13 away games that being to Leganes in Copa Del Rey which didn’t matter as they already had a 3-0 lead entering the game so when you look at Madrid’s away form it definitely hasn’t been a problem as of late, it’s mostly their home form that let them down in the past couple of months.
Rodrigo is the man to watch for Valencia. His goal scoring hasn’t been great this year but without a doubt he’s still a very dangerous player and is expected to show up for a game like this plus he normally plays well at home (all of his last 8 competitive goals came at Mestalla).
Karim Benzema without a doubt is the man to watch for Real Madrid. 22 goals all together, clubs top scorer and most consistent player all year long and he’s on red hot form right now having scored 3 and also delivered 3 assists in his last 3 games including scoring a game winning goal late against Huesca at the weekend so expect Karim to be full of confidence and to drop a good performance.
Real Madrid won the first meeting 2-0 this season at the Bernabeu between these clubs. Madrid have gotten the edge over Valencia in 3 of last 4 meetings (1D), however Valencia have been pretty good against them at Mestalla winning 2 of last 4 at home against Madrid (1D 1D) although Real Madrid won in their most recent visit to Mestalla 1-4 last season.
Real Madrid are bookies favourites to win this game at 2.20 although Valencia aren’t being underestimated being tipped at 3.20 to win whereas Draw is priced at 3.65. Madrid are understandably the favourites due to their squad but don’t sleep on red hot Valencia who are more than capable to win especially at home. Odds based on Unibet.
Team News
Valencia: Valencia have a relatively healthy side other than Ruben Sobrino and Cristiano Piccini who are the only doubts to play.
Real Madrid: Courtois remains injured so expect Keylor Navas to be in goal. Vinicius is still out and Dani Carvajal is back in training so he may feature.
Betting Stats
Valencia have covered just 20% of their total goal overs at home in La Liga this season (3-12). 2nd lowest percentage in the league.
Valencia have covered just 13.3% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in La Liga this season which is the worst percentage in the league (2-2-11).
Valencia average 2.33 bookings per game at home in the league this season (35 bookings in 15 games).
Rodrigo has the most goals for Valencia with 3 home goals in La Liga at Mestalla this season.
Valencia have only covered 26.7% of their Handicaps at home in La Liga this season which is tied 2nd worst in the league (4-1-10).
Valencia have covered 33.3% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in La Liga this season (5-1-9).
Real Madrid have covered 50% of their total goal overs away from home in La Liga this season (7-2-5). Ties 3rd best in the league.
Real Madrid have covered 50% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in La Liga this season (7-7).
Real Madrid average 2.93 bookings per game away from home in La Liga this season (41 bookings in 14 games).
Karim Benzema is Real Madrid’s top scorer away from home in La Liga with 9 away league goals this season.
Real Madrid have covered 42.9% of their Handicaps away from home in La Liga this season (6-8).
Real Madrid have covered 50% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in La Liga this season (7-7).
KICK OFF – 3rd April 2019 – 8:30pm UK Time
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