Valencia vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid don’t have much left to play for in the final nine matches of the season. They are already out of both the Champions League after their shock defeat to Ajax, as well as the Copa del Rey. They also aren’t going to catch Barcelona, who are 12 points ahead of Real in the La Liga table.
On the other hand, Valencia are still fighting on several fronts. Not only are they still in the Europa League and the Copa del Rey final, but they are also eyeing Champions League qualification.
Thanks to their impressive run of La Liga 2019 results, Los Che are now just three points back of Getafe for the fourth and final Champions League spot.
Victory over Real at home would be another huge step for Valencia’s qualification hopes. But despite Los Che’s fine form of late, beating Real will remain a tough task.
Talking Points
Valencia’s impressive form continues
Valencia’s strong late-season push for that fourth-place finish continued with a massive 1-0 win in their huge showdown against fourth-placed rivals Sevilla at the Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.
After getting only draws for much of the season, Valencia are finally claiming all three points more regularly of late. They have now won three of their last four matches, the first time they’ve done so all season.
They have also extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to 11 matches (five wins, six draws) and 16 in all competitions (nine wins, seven draws).
Valencia’s defence, which has conceded the second-fewest goals behind Atletico Madrid this season, has been quite impressive during their recent stretch. Over their last seven games, they’ve given just four goals. They have also kept five consecutive clean sheets at home.
But of course, Real’s attacking quality will be so much more superior to the opponents Valencia have kept silent. It will take something special to prevent Real from finding the back of the net; only Barcelona have been able to keep Real from scoring in their last 15 matches in all competitions.
As for Valencia’s attack, it remains pretty hit or miss. Dani Parejo and Rodrigo Moreno have combined for 13 of the team’s 31 La Liga goals this season, and they will once again need to provide some much-needed quality against Real.
Real on a roll with Zidane
The start of Zinedine Zidane’s second spell at the Bernabeu has begun well enough, with two home wins out of two. But after handily taking care of Celta 2-0, they laboured against Huesca over the weekend and needed a late Karim Benzema winner to grab the 3-2 win.
Zidane made headlines in that match by starting his son, Luca, in goal over Keylor Navas with Thibaut Courtois still sideline with a quad injury.
Although Real technically have nothing of note left to play for this season, the final few games will still be valuable for players to make a good impression on Zidane for next season. Zidane has notably started both Isco and Marcelo in his first two games in charge after the two lost their regular places in the first XI under Santiago Solari.
Real, who are set to play their first away match with Zidane back, have done pretty well of late on their travels. They’ve won each of their last five La Liga away fixtures, which includes a 3-1 win over Atletico in the Madrid Derby.
Curiously, there have been five red cards in those five matches, including dismissals for Real. But that hasn’t prevented Real from picking up those points.
History
Valencia’s track record against Real in recent years hasn’t been particularly impressive. Madrid have won four out of the last six meetings between the two. That includes their 2-0 win at the Bernabeu back in December.
Moreover, Real have often left their visits to Valencia pretty happy. Over the past 10 years, Real have claimed six wins at the Mestalla, with three defeats and one draw.
Those three home wins have been the only victories Valencia have had over Real in their last 20 La Liga meetings. That stat obviously isn’t too encouraging for anyone interested in Valencia chances of victory, whatever the La Liga 2019 betting odds say.
Betting Tip
 |
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Valencia vs Real Madrid | Draw 1X2 @ 3.30 |
| April 04, 03:30 (GMT+8) |
The SBOBET odds currently have a Valencia win and a draw similarly priced at 3.30 in the 1X2 market. But while Valencia have been playing well of late, a draw might be the more realistic outcome than a rare victory over Real.
The fact that Real aren’t exactly the most motivated bunch at this stage of the season should only help the hosts’ cause. Meanwhile, the Valencia defence has shown it can be resolute enough to at least slow Real down and grab another valuable point.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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