Real Madrid targeting an eighth straight win: Valencia vs Real Madrid prediction
In the 12th round of the Spanish La Liga, Valencia will host Real Madrid at Mestalla. The hosts sit 19th with nine points and are battling to avoid relegation. The visitors are third, three points behind leaders Barcelona. Madrid have won their last seven matches in all competitions and will be looking to extend their impressive run.
- Read also: Manchester City aim to end losing streak: Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City prediction
Valencia: a relegation battle and attacking problems
Javier Aguirre's side have endured an extremely difficult season so far. After 11 rounds, Valencia have collected just nine points and find themselves in the relegation zone. Their main problem remains a lack of goals: the hosts have scored only eight times, sharing the record for the league's worst attack. However, they managed to beat Elche 1-0 in the previous round thanks to a goal from Umar Sadiq and will now be hoping to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since May.
Before facing the Madrid giants, the hosts have been hit by several squad problems. Sergi Canós, Diego López and David Otorbi will miss the match through injury, while José Manuel Copete remains a doubt. Sadiq has recovered from his injury and is in contention for a place in the starting lineup. Harvey Elliott has also completed his suspension, but his return to action is not yet guaranteed.
Real Madrid: seven straight wins and the chase for Barcelona
José Mourinho's side have hit an impressive run of form, winning their last seven matches in all competitions. Following a 2-1 defeat to Atlético, Madrid have recorded four consecutive La Liga victories, including a 2-1 El Clásico win over Barcelona. In the previous round, Real thrashed Racing 3-0 before beating AEK 3-2 in the Champions League. Victory over Valencia would see the visitors draw level with the Catalans on points.
Injuries and suspensions have affected several areas of the squad. Rodrygo, Raúl Asencio and Ferland Mendy continue their recoveries, while Vinícius Júnior will miss the match through suspension. Arda Güler and Aurélien Tchouaméni, meanwhile, are set to return to the starting lineup. Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konaté are expected to feature in defence, while Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham will remain the key figures in attack. Federico Valverde, who scored the winning goal against AEK, should also feature.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Real Madrid have won their last seven matches in all competitions
- Valencia lost both of their meetings with Madrid in last season's La Liga
- In April 2025, Valencia beat Real 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu
- Valencia have failed to win in eight of their last ten Spanish league matches.
- Valencia have scored fewer than 2.5 goals in each of their last 10 matches in all official competitions.
Will Real extend their winning streak: Valencia vs Real Madrid prediction
Valencia received a much-needed emotional boost after beating Elche, but their problems in front of goal have not gone away. Home advantage could help the hosts make life difficult for their opponents, but containing Madrid's attacking line for the entire match will be a major challenge.
Real are in significantly better form and possess a clear advantage in quality. Despite the absence of several first-team players, Mourinho's side have enough resources to secure victory. At the same time, the hosts could well capitalize on individual mistakes in the visitors' defence.
