Real Madrid will take on Valencia under the Santiago Bernabeu lights on Thursdsy night as they eye a swift turnaround in the ongoing La Liga campaign. Los Blancos are aiming to secure the win with their title defense gradually becoming difficult to accomplish with every passing matchday.
After putting together a very strong start to the season, Carlo Ancelotti's men have drifted off course by dropping vital points along the way. As things stand, they are eight points behind leaders Barcelona, and a win over Valencia should cut down the deficit to just five with the Blaugrana having played a game more than the current league title holders.
Real Madrid will go into Thursday's game on the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw with Real Sociedad over the weekend. However, the result against the Basque club extended their unbeaten run at home in the competition this season to eight, while ensuring that they remain the only side yet to taste defeat in their own backyard.
As far as history goes, the omen is in favor of Real Madrid. Since March 2008, they have not lost against Valencia at the Bernabeu. They have won 11 and drawn five of their last 16 meetings with Los Che. This season, they have already beaten the visitors on penalties with a 4-3 triumph in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals after 120 minutes of footballing action ended in a 1-1 draw.
Against this backdrop, Valencia will try to prevent back-to-back defeats and complicate things further for Madrid. Los Che have been a shadow of the side they used to be in recent years and their struggles have been prevalent once more this season. Coming into the game at the Bernabeu after the sack of manager Gennarro Gattuso, a big response is expected from the players considering the series of poor performances they have put together.
Valencia slipped to 14th in the La Liga standings following the weekend's defeat to Real Valladolid. They remain one of four teams with 20 points and are placed just a point above the relegation zone. So far, they have won just three of their last 16 matches on the road, a record that does not help their chances against the defending champions.
Key stats for Real Madrid vs Valencia
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Real Madrid have been victorious in 31 of the last 55 matches against Valencia. They have been beaten on only 11 occasions.
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Valencia have failed to win last three matches against Real Madrid in La Liga.
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Real Madrid have not lost in the last 14 La Liga games at home to Valencia. They are on the verge of equaling a record should they avoid defeat.
Team news: Real Madrid vs Valencia
Real Madrid will be without left-back Ferland Mendy for the clash with Valencia. The defender picked up a hamstring injury in their Copa del Rey win over rivals Atletico Madrid last week and is set to be out for about two months.
Lucas Vazquez has been sidelined with a sprained ankle, whiles David Alaba is also yet to return from his spell on the treatment table. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will have a boost as Ancelotti confirmed over the weekend that Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Carvajal will be in contention to start against Valencia.
For Los Che, Jaume Domenech, Nico Gonzalez, Thierry Correia and Justin Kluivert are the players who are unavailable for the fixture against Real Madrid.
Broadcast information for Real Madrid vs Valencia
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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