18 September 2021, 18:38 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Spanish La Liga fixture, Valencia CF vs. Real Madrid, kicks off at 20:00 (GMT+1) on Sunday, September 19 at the Mestalla Stadium.
Preview Valencia La Liga, Sep 19, 2021
Preview The Bats picked up a 4-1 win over Osasuna on the fourth day of the league season and moved into second place at the end of Matchday 4. Goals from Maximiliano Gomez (26'), Goncalo Guedes (55'), and Omar Alderete (73'), coupled with an own goal from Aridane Umpierrez (50' O.G.), saw Valencia pick up a comfortable win over Osasuna. The Bats return for this fixture having had back-to-back victories, WDWW and will relish the opportunity to go toe-to-toe against Real Madrid for maximum points when both sides clash in what is a battle for first place. After four match days in the Spanish League, 2nd-placed Valencia and 1st-placed Real Madrid share the same points, 10 each, and are also level on G.D., +6. A 4—4—2 formation with Gomez and Guedes in attack appears to be on the horizon for Valencia ahead of this weekend's fixture against Madrid. On availability, left-winger Denis Cheryshev has been ruled out with a knee injury and is expected to make his return to the squad in mid October. With the exception of the Russian forward, Pepe Bordalás will have a fully fit squad to make his selection.
Preview Real Madrid La Liga, Sep 19, 2021
Preview Real Madrid will make their return to La Liga football after defeating Inter Milan by a lone goal in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League opener at the San Siro. Rodrygo (89') scored the only goal of the game, a minute before the end of normal time. On Matchday 4, Real Madrid picked up a massive 5-2 win over Celta Vigo with Karim Benzema (24', 64' & 87' P.) bagging his first hattrick of the season. Los Blancos will visit the Mestalla Stadium for the first time this season, as the team with the most shots and passes in the final-third. On Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti could line-up the familiar 4—3—3 formation with Karim Benzema playing through the middle once again. Following the hattrick on Matchday 4, the French striker became the top scorer in the league with 5 goals. With the unavailability of Gareth Bale in attack, having been ruled out with a knee injury, Vinicius Jr. is expected to start on the left while Eden Hazard could return to the starting lineup on the right. Lucas Vazquez got the nod for the start on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League fixture against Inter Milan. Riddled with injuries, Madrid could be without Toni Kroos, Ferland Mendy and Marcelo.