The Spanish La Liga action continues this weekend, with action at the top of the table heating up interestingly. Real Madrid is on its track, in claiming a first Spanish La Liga title in five years. However, the final stretch of the games isn’t going to be easy for the Los Blancos, as they have a few tricky challenges in the final run in of the season. The first challenge comes with Valencia CF, who are struggling to get into a respectable mid-table finish after a poor first part of the season, and Real Madrid will be trying to avoid any slip up to avoid giving Barcelona, who are equal on points at the top of the table, any more hope of a chance at the title, even though the Catalan Club has played one game more.
REAL MADRID CF vs. VALENCIA CF
3-Way: 1: Real Madrid -500; X: +890 Draw; Valencia CF +1600
Spread -2.5: Real Madrid +102 ; Valencia CF -105
Total +4.5 : Over +100; +102
REAL MADRID
Under Zinedine Zidane, the Los Blancos have had a good season in the Spanish La Liga so far. Inhis first season, they won the Champions league. This season, which is the Frenchman’s first full season with the club, he has managed to steer them to touching distance of the title, and they are also in the Champions League semi-finals, where they will face local rivals Atletico Madrid. However, they will be wary of any slip up , as it will potentially hand the title to Barcelona, who are tied with them at the top of the table, with 78 points, but having played a game more.
Real Madrid has been efficient to say the least, in front of the goal. It has been almost a year, since they have failed to score in a game (they have scored for 57 straight games). They have scored a total of 133 goals in all competitions this season (90 in the Spanish La Liga), with 42 of the those coming at the Santiago Bernabeu. Of the 24 matches won this season by the Los Blancos, 12 have come in the home matches.
They have won a total of 70 points, with 40 of them coming at home. The Madrid based team has conceded 38 goals, keeping 8 cleans sheets in the process. They have won 4 of their last 6 league games, drawing 1, and losing 1, with a score line of 2:3 to bitter rivals Barcelona last weekend, which was followed with a thumping 6-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna in the midweek fixture. The most common result for the Los blancos is a 2:1 win, which has occurred 6 times in the Spanish La Liga.
One of the most frightening aspects for the opponents of this Real Madrid team, is the depth of the Real Madrids squad. The manager has the luxury of being able to call world class players, and talented youngsters, who have the ability to turn a game on its head. This is further highlighted by the fact that extremely talented players like James Rodriguez can’t nail down a spot in the starting 11, regardless of the massive transfer fees that was paid for him.
Ronaldo has been the top scorer for the Los Blancos, with 19 goals in the Spanish La Liga, occupying the third position in the league for top scorers. Sergio Ramos has contributed for many vital goals this season, to claw back points. He has scored 10 goals, which are quite a lot for a centre back. Even though the Famed BBC is not present, as Gareth Bale is out injured, there are many players, like Isco, Morata, who have scored in their last two starts, to add goals to the team
Apart from Bale, who is expected to return from a calf injury in May, Madrid will also miss the services of Portuguese centre back Pepe, who is also out due to injury, with his return date not yet known.
VALENCIA CF
By all standards, this season has been a poor season for Valencia. They couldn’t have started the season any worse if they tried, by their standards. They are recognized as a team that usually finishes in the top half of the Spanish La Liga table, but this has been one of the most disappointing seasons in the history of the Spanish Club.
Currently, they sit in 12th position of the Spanish La Liga, with 40 points. Los Che would want to finish the season on a better note, for the sake of the fans, by getting positive results, including the first massive task of containing a Real Madrid side, who are scoring goals for fun. There is massive gap of 38 points between the Los Che, and their opponents whom they will visit this weekend, with the visitors hoping to put a dent on the title hopes of the Madrid side
Their recent form has been very average, even though there has been an upturn in the performances. They aren’t the most lethal of attacks, nor are the most tightest of defenses. Of their last 5 games, they have won 2, drawn 1, and lost 2. Of the 11 wins this season, 7 have come at home. Their home form reading is 3-2-1. They have scored a total 49 goals, with 27 of them coming at their home ground, the Mestalla Stadium.
They have conceded 59 goals, keeping 6 clean sheets in the process, a number that will not intimidate the Los Blancos attack this weekend. Of their 40 points, 25 have been won in front of the home crowd. Their last two matches have both ended in defeat against Malaga, and then Real Sociedad, with score lines of 2:0, and 3:2 respectively. Their most frequent score this season is 2-1 wins, which has occurred 5 times.
Valencia have many players out of this important clash. They have lost forward Rodrigo(Malleolar injury), full back Luis Gaya (muscular), and Centre back Abdennour(Leg) to injuries, while Nani, and and Simeone Zaza are suspended, due to accumulation of 5 yellow cards each.
Their top scorer for the league, has been young Forward Munir El Hadadi,with 6 goals, along with Santiago Mina, who also has six goals in the league. The manager, Prandelli will be hoping that their defenders and midfielder also help them in breaching the Los Blancos defense, which isn’t really the strongest of defences.
MY PREDICTION: REAL MADRID CF Vs VALENCIA CF
On current form and league placing, this is a no brainer. On paper, it looks like a routine win for the Los blancos, against a Valencia team that is in the lower half of the table. However, Valencia is one team that can always cause Real Madrid problems. Even in this disappointing season, they managed to beat the Los Blancos with 2:1 earlier this campaign. And they have lost just 1 game in their last 4 matches against Real Madrid.
Therefore, it will be safe to say, that Los Blancos will win this game. However, Valencia can definitely get on the score sheet, if they take their chances, which will come against a not so strong Madrid defense. However, Real should have no problem defeating this team which has only 2 away wins in the last 13 games in the Spanish La Liga. My prediction would be a Real Madrid win, with both sides scoring, with possible total of +4.5 goals in the match.
MY PICK: Over 4.5 goals (+100)
