Real Madrid can maintain their position at the top of La Liga when they travel to Real Valladolid on Saturday evening.
It hasn’t been a smooth season for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, with two significant defeats against Barcelona and difficulties in the Champions League highlighting their tactical deficiencies, but suddenly the picture is looking quite rosy for the champions.
Their 4-1 win over Las Palmas and Atletico Madrid’s loss to Leganes last weekend means Los Blancos hold a two-point lead at the top of La Liga. A 5-1 win against RB Salzburg in midweek means we should also see Madrid in the Champions League knockout round play-offs.
They are expected to triumph again this weekend when they take on the division’s basement team. Real Valladolid have won four times in La Liga this season, but a 2-1 defeat at Espanyol last Friday saw them slip to the bottom of the table after an upturn in form.
The hosts were knocked out by the league leaders in the second leg in August, with Endrick, rarely seen since, scoring his first Madrid goal in a 3-0 win.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to Saturday’s La Liga clash.
Real Valladolid vs. Real Madrid H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
Real Valladolid | real Madrid |
|---|---|
Espanyol – Real Valladolid 2-1 – 01/17/25 | Real Madrid 5:1 Salzburg – 01/22/25 |
Real Valladolid 1-0 Real Betis – 11/01/25 | Real Madrid – Las Palmas 4:1 – 19.01.25 |
Ourense – Real Valladolid 3-2 – 01/05/25 | Real Madrid 5-2 Celta Vigo (AET) – 01/16/25 |
Girona – Real Valladolid 3-0 – 12/20/24 | Real Madrid 2-5 Barcelona – 12/01/25 |
Real Valladolid 1-0 Valencia – 12/13/24 | Real Madrid – Mallorca 3-0 – 09/01/25 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Premier Sports Players, LaLigaTV, Premier Sports 2 |
United States | ESPN+, fuboTV, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes |
Canada | TSN+, TSN3 |
A situation has arisen in Valladolid surrounding 18-year-old Juma Bah, who has caught the attention of Manchester City. Bah did not turn up for training to force a substitution and is unlikely to feature this weekend.
The hosts will also be without Stanko Juric, who is suspended due to a yellow card. Eray Comert and Raul Moro are missing due to injury.
Predicted line-up of Real Valladolid vs Real Madrid (4-3-3): Hein; Perez, Ozkacar, Sanchez, Rosa; Perez, Ndiaye, Martin; Tuhami, Andre, Amallah.
Vinicius Junior was involved in Madrid’s recent games in the Supercopa, Copa del Rey and Champions League but remains suspended in La Liga and will not be available this weekend.
Rodrygo, who has been excellent of late, will move to the left wing and either Brahim Diaz or Arda Guler will move to Madrid’s front line.
David Alaba has been a substitute since returning from a long-term knee injury for Ancelotti and is likely to play minutes as a substitute again in Valladolid. Lucas Vazquez, who was suspended in midweek, and Aurelien Tchouameni, who is struggling with a minor problem, are expected to be back in Madrid’s starting XI on Saturday.
Predicted line-up of Real Madrid vs Real Valladolid (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Brahim, Mbappe, Rodrygo.
Valladolid may be bottom of La Liga, but they have shown in recent weeks that they can be a tough nut to crack on home soil. 12 of their 15 points were collected at José Zorrilla.
However, Madrid didn’t bat an eyelid after their humiliating defeat in the Supercopa final. Nine goals in the last two games suggest this superstar-studded attack has found its rhythm, but Vini Jr’s absence this weekend undoubtedly reduces their firepower.
The visitors may have to suffer at times here, but they should progress with all three points.