Real Valladolid vs Real Madrid Predictions & Match Preview

Real Valladolid vs Real Madrid predictions and match preview for Friday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Los Blancos travel to Valladolid.

Real Valladolid vs Real Madrid Preview

The Spanish champions travel north this week as Real Madrid take on Real Valladolid at the Jose Zorrilla. Both sides will be aiming to grab a result here after a lengthy break from the league due to the World Cup.

Real Valladolid have been a mixed bag this season, with five wins, two draws and seven losses. The club currently sit twelfth in the table which they would have taken before the season began, however Pacheta’s side will be looking to improve on their consistency in the second half of the season in order to stay clear of the relegation zone. Like other clubs in Spain, Valladolid have had both friendly and Copa Del Rey fixtures to keep their players focused and this should be of benefit when LaLiga commences once again. 

Pacheta will be without Jawad El Yamiq for this match after the centre back’s impressive performances for Morocco as the side became the first African country to reach a World Cup Semi-Final. 

Their opponents, Real Madrid, have not partaken in any matches since before the World Cup, with their last match ending as a 2-1 victory in favour of Los Blancos against Cadiz on the 10th of November. As with most seasons, Los Merengues head into January with title ambitions and currently sit in second place, two points behind rivals Barcelona. 

Although Carlo Ancelotti’s side enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, losing only one of their fifteen domestic matches before the break, the second half of the campaign will be more difficult with Copa Del Rey, Supercopa and Club World Cup matches being introduced as well as the return of the Champions League knockout rounds. With Barcelona currently top, Real must find a way of keeping up their consistency in the league despite likely having to make more rotations. 

Ancelotti will have to plan his starting lineup for this match without midfielders Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga after the three players all reached the World Cup Semi-Finals. On the positive side, Brazilians Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Eder Militão returned early to training and should be available for the trip to Valladolid and Karim Benzema should be fully fit for the first time this season after leaving France duty earlier than expected.

Team News & Possible Lineups

Real Valladolid

Possible XI: Masip – Escudero, Javi Sanchez, Joaquin, Fresneda – Aguado, Ivan Sanchez, Mesa – Plano, Leon, Plata (4-3-3)

Coach: Pacheta

Real Madrid

Possible XI: Courtois – Mendy, Alaba, Rudiger, Carvajal – Ceballos, Kroos, Valverde – Vini, Benzema, Rodrygo (4-3-3)

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti

Score Prediction: Real Valladolid 0-1 Real Madrid

Although the home side should have less absentees than their opponents, Real Madrid still have superior quality to Valladolid and will aim to grab a victory here without having to put in maximum effort ahead of a heavy set of fixtures in January. Furthermore, Real Valladolid’s results against the top sides this season have been underwhelming and Real Madrid won 1-0 on both of their two previous visits to the Jose Zorilla, so all things considered, a repeat would not be a surprise.

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