First-place Real Madrid host ninth-place Valencia in a big-time La Liga showdown on Saturday afternoon. Los Blancos have a five-point lead in the table over Sevilla but are coming off of a poor 1-0 loss to Getafe. Meanwhile, Los Che blew a chance to move into the top four at the turn of the year but enter the day just four points back into the Champions League spots.
Here’s are storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Saturday, Jan 8 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu — Madrid, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Real Madrid -300; Draw +420; Valencia +800 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Team news
Real Madrid: Los Blancos are at pretty much full strength for this clash with Vinicius Jr., Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio expected to start up top. While Dani Carvajal, Luka Jovic and Gareth Bale are doubtful due to injury, Real do get Eduardo Camavinga back from suspension.
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Valencia: Young talent Hugo Duro, who has impressed since signing from Getafe, is out after getting a silly red card last week against Espanyol that saw Valencia blow a 1-0 lead with 10 minutes to go before losing. Defender Thierry Correia is also out after testing positive for COVID-19, and club captain Carlos Soler picked up an injury midweek in the Copa Del Rey that will likely see him miss this match as well, putting the team in a difficult spot for what could be their toughest road match of the season.
Prediction
A depleted Valencia can’t come close to getting a point as Real get started early and cruise in the end. Pick: Real Madrid 3, Valencia 1
