A La Liga Clash Where the Football Should do the Talking

Valencia vs Real Madrid

The Mestalla Stadium on Saturday night should be bouncing.

It should also be all about a potentially pulsating clash between the La Liga leaders and the home side who just love upsetting the Madrid giants.

The fact, though, is one issue will probably take centre stage in the days before kick-off because of what happened in the corresponding meeting last season.

Talking Points

On that occasion Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior was racially abused by a small section of home supporters in the Mario Kempes south stand.

It led to an upswell of support and forced football authorities to take action.

The young forward was reduced to tears after confronting a Valencia fan who called him a monkey and made monkey gestures. After initially not wanting to continue, he kept playing. He then vowed to not back down.

The abuse suffered by Vinícius — and his strong words saying not enough had been done to stop it — prompted the Spanish Football Federation to fine Valencia 45,000 euros and close part of the team’s stadium for five games. Valencia banned from the stadium for life the three fans who were arrested by police for racially abusing thew player.

Now Real return and, while the atmosphere may be hostile, it’s hoped there’ll be no repeat with Valencia reminding us this week that the majority of their supporters are well behaved.

They could do with using all their energy to back their team who are currently ninth in the table, six points off the top six and guaranteed European berth.

By contrast, Real Madrid are creating La Liga highlights on a virtual weekly basis.

Last Sunday, Luka Modric rolled back the years with a sublime late winner against Sevilla and they are currently six points clear at the top.

Jude Bellingham may be fit enough to return to the bench after three weeks out with a twisted ankle, while Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga are available again after serving suspensions against Sevilla.

Los Blancos have comfortably the best defensive record in the league to date, only conceding 16 times, which is even more impressive considering they have been without their number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and missing some key central defenders with Eder Militao out since August and David Alaba absent since December, both due to ACL injuries.

Ruben Baraja’s side have not been in action since drawing 0-0 with Sevilla on February 17 as their clash with Granada, which was scheduled for last weekend, was postponed following a deadly fire in the city.

Much of their success this term can be attributed to the rise of Hugo Duro and Javi Guerra, two of the most underrated youngsters in the Spanish top flight.

Although Thierry Correia is unavailable due to a thigh problem, while Diego Lopez – the matchwinner in this corresponding fixture last term remains a doubt – the home side are otherwise in decent shape heading into the contest.

After a very below par campaign in 2022-23, my SBOTOP colleague recently suggested that Valencia need to be taken seriously again.

Victory on Saturday night against the best team in Spain and they will be.

History

Two of the oldest clubs in the Spanish top-flight, they have played each other in the league on 172 occasions. Real have won 93, Valencia 47 and the remaining 38 have ended in draws.

It was in 2008 when Valencia last won in the Bernabeu in a 3-2 league success – a match in which Real legend Raul netted twice but so did the cultured David Villa for Valencia before Javier Arizmendi scored a late winner.

However, Valencia have won three of their last five meetings at home to mighty Madrid.

This is a fixture historically littered with La Liga highlights.

Valencia have proven to be a tricky opponent for Real in the past, although Real have had the edge more recently.

That included a 5-1 success earlier this season when Brazilian duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo both scored braces as they romped home.

A first half Lopez goal towards the end of last season secured a 1-0 home win in the corresponding fixture.

Betting Tip

The La Liga betting odds back the leaders 1X2 @ 1.66 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.23.

Valencia are on offer 1X2 @ 4.67 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.31.

The draw is available @ 3.52.

If Valencia can repeat their 1-0 win of last May, then Correct Score will pay out @ 13.00.

I think this will be a close game but Real should have too much over the course of 90 minutes and my *** tip is Half Time Full Time Draw Away @ 4.72.

 

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