LaLiga 2022-23: Real Madrid vs Valencia: Predicted Lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Los Blancos host Valencia in LaLiga on Thursday night.

Real Madrid are currently second in LaLiga, and are five points behind table toppers Barcelona. The Galacticos have only picked 4 points in their last three games, as a result of which they find themselves in a vulnerable position.

Real have had a tough few games in the last previous weeks, which includes the Clasico defeat against Barca in the Super Cup final. However, their recent victories against top clubs like Bilbao and Atletico, would give Ancelloti’s men immense confidence going into this fixture.

Valencia are going through a pretty rough phase at the moment. Los Che are currently sitting on 14th position in the table, and have also sacked their head coach Gennaro Gattuso, just seven months after his appointment.

Valencia have lost three of their past four games, and are a solitary point away from the Relegation zone. On Thursday, as the Bats take on Real Madrid, they need to fight with all their might and hope for a result that could help them in the fight for survival.

Kick-off:

Thursday, 2 February; 8:00 pm (GMT)

Friday, 3 February; 1:30am (IST)

Real Madrid Form (All Competitions): D-W-L-W-W

Valencia Form (All Competitions): L-D-L-L-W

Player To Watch

Real Madrid

Karim Banzima

Karim is easily the best player in this Real Madrid squad, and has been industrious for the Galacticos this season. The Ballon D’or winner has already scored nine times in eleven games, and also has a maiden assist to his name. Benzema’s presence in the midfield is of utmost importance for Real, and his movement and world class finishing will be much sought by Madrid fans, as they look to cut short the deficit between them and Barcelona.

Valencia

José Luis Gayà

The Spaniard has been immaculate for Valencia so far this season, and is easily their best player at the moment. Gaya has been pretty consistent with his performances and has really been a boost in the left back position. The 27-year-old has three goal contributions in La Liga this season, and his defensive numbers are also pretty impressive. Gaya is surely a player to watch out for on Thursday, as he can be a real problem for Las Blancos.

Match Facts

• Rivora Gonzalez, the club's former defender and academy coach, will take over as Valencia's caretaker manager following Gattuso’s departure
• On average in direct matches both teams scored a 3.18 goals per Match, when playing against each other.
• Real Madrid have won their last five home games at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

Injury And Team News

For Real, Ferland Mendy sustained a hamstring injury in the first half of Real Madrid's Copa del Rey win over rivals Atletico Madrid last week, and the left-back now faces up to two months on the sidelines. Also, Lucas Vazquez sprained his ankle in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final win against Valencia earlier this month and the Spaniard will not recover in time to feature on Thursday. No other player is expected to miss the game for Real.

For Valencia, Nico Gonzalez is sidelined for the foreseeable future, as he has been diagnosed with a fracture of his fifth left metatarsal. Jaume Doménech is also injured an unavailable for the visit to the Santiago Bernabeau. Thierry Correia’s presence is also doubtful, and will be determined in the coming days.

Head-to-Head Stats

Matches: 55

Real Madrid: 31

Draw: 13

Valencia: 11

Predicted Line-up:

Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Courtois; Nacho, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Camavinga; Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Luka Modric; Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema, Vinicius

Real Sociedad predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Mamardashvili; Correia, Comert, Diakhaby, Gaya; Musah, Guillamon, Almeida; Kluivert, Cavani, Lino

Prediction

Valencia will give in their all to get a result against Real, but their efforts will go in vain as the Galacticos will dominate the game and not give Valencia any chance whatsoever. Real Madrid will easily secure a comfortable win, and gain important three points.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Valencia

Telecast

India – Voot/MTV

UK – LaLiga TV/ITV

USA – ESPN+

Nigeria – SuperSport