Real Madrid Vs Valencia
Thursday 18 June 2020 – 21:00 Kick-Off
Spanish La Liga
Pick: Real Madrid & Both To Score
Odds: 7/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 15 June 2020)
Preview: One of the biggest games in any La Liga season will take place in the confines of Real Madrid‘s training complex, the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium, on Thursday as Valencia seek to bounce back from a disappointing restart.
Spanish La Liga Betting at 22Bet
Table of Contents
Real Madrid Preview – No Bernabeu, no problem?
Playing their remaining home matches at their training complex, as renovation work continues on the Santiago Bernabeu, might not be as problematic as some feared if Real Madrid (2nd – W17 D8 L3) can deliver more performances like the one witnessed there last Sunday against Eibar. A first-half blitz, scoring three times inside the opening forty minutes, enough for Zidane’s men to bank three crucial points in their ongoing pursuit of leaders Barca.
At the time of writing, the deficit between the top two stands at two points, though Barca being in action the day before obviously alters the dynamic of this fixture by the time it gets underway approximately 24 hours later. For now, Real Madrid are the ones tasked with doing the chasing, which means all they can really do is keep on winning and pray for a mistake.
Regardless of where they’ve called ‘home’ in 2019/20, Real Madrid remain formidable, with 10 wins from 14 such games in La Liga. They’re among a trio of sides still to lose on their own patch, scoring at least two goals on ten occasions and failing to score only twice. Karim Benzema didn’t get on the scoresheet last time out but does have eight goals at home this season, half of which were the game’s opening goal, and scored the equaliser in the reverse fixture.
Valencia Preview – Top-four hopes already fading?
Los Che picked up precisely where they left off in March before Coronavirus forced everybody into isolation, drawing 1-1 for the second successive league game after they were frustratingly held at home by local rivals Levante last Friday. A disappointing result for manager Albert Celades for all sorts of reasons, but most of all because it leaves his side four points adrift of Real Sociedad in fourth.
Victory appeared in the bag once Valencia (7th – W11 D10 L7) netted the game’s opening goal on 89 minutes. Their position was strengthened further by the fact Levante had been reduced to ten men 15 minutes earlier, so when the visitors levelled deep into stoppage time it must have felt like a punch to the gut for those involved. A golden opportunity to close the gap on the top-four missed.
For good or for worse, the quick switch around means minimal time to dwell. One thing there is no escaping from, however, is the fact Valencia have won only one of their last six league encounters (W1 D3 L2), and arguably appear the least likely to put forth a consistent run of results to challenge for the Champions League places. Particularly as a positive outcome seems a long shot on Thursday, having failed to win on the road since 7 December (D2 L3 since).
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Real Madrid Vs Valencia Betting Advice
Could the fact this fixture takes place in the less familiar surroundings of Real Madrid’s training ground work to Valencia’s advantage? They’ll certainly hope so after a rotten record at Real’s usual residence, last winning on the road in this fixture in 2008 (D5 L8 in the period since). Valencia have been far too inconsistent this season though, and even more so on their travels, winning only three times in 13 away outings. Back Real Madrid to assert dominance once more.
Real Madrid Vs Valencia – Key Facts
- The perfect restart for Real Madrid, beating Eibar 3-1 at home to put some bad form – one win in four – garnered before the enforced break behind them.
- The same could not be said for Valencia, who were held at home by Levante despite playing against ten men.
- Real Madrid have bossed meetings in Madrid for a long time, coming out on top in eight of the last thirteen La Liga home games versus Valencia since last losing in 2008.
Valencia haven’t exactly been prolific on their travels this season, netting at barely more than a goal-per-game (1.15), but do tend to grab at least one, doing so in 10 of 13 said fixtures. Therefore, backing Real Madrid to win whilst conceding – a bet which has delivered in five of their ten home wins so far, including in their weekend home encounter with Eibar – could be the way to go.
Best Betting Odds – Real Madrid Vs Valencia
Real Madrid – 2/5 (Coral)
Draw – 17/4 (Unibet)
Valencia – 7/1 (Bet365)
