Real Madrid v Valencia Prediction: La Liga Match on 08.01.2022

The Spanish La Liga season returns to action this weekend, and there’s plenty to catch the eye of football fans. Four games will be played on Saturday, with the kick-off times staggered between 13:00 and 20:00. The main attraction comes from the famous footballing city of Madrid, where current league leaders and the pundits’ choice to win the league, Real Madrid, play host to Valencia. This clash has all the ingredients of a classic, with both teams going after all three points, but which side will get their wish? Our team of football writers preview the game and offer readers their big match predictions.

Real Madrid leads the way in La Liga and enjoys a comfortable margin over the chasing pack. The locals are out in front but appear to have let laziness set into their game in recent weeks. That will catch the attention of their visitors who arrive in town on a decent run of form, knowing if their hosts take this match lightly, they are good enough to pull off an upset and take all three points home, breathing life back into the La Liga title race.

Saturday’s match will be the first time these sides have met in competitive action since September earlier this season when Blancos nicked the points in the reverse. Valencia held the home advantage in summer, but it was Madrid that came out on top thanks to a 2-1 scoreline. The victors came from behind that day, scoring two goals in the final four minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Neutrals hope this rematch proves to be just as entertaining and dramatic.

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Real Madrid have been dominant

With the problems that exist over at Barcelona and the Atletico Madrid team being a shadow of the squad that famously won the La Liga title last season, Real Madrid started this season as the hot favourites with many respected pundits to win the league and regain their grip over Spanish football. Blancos have lived up to expectations so far and can be found sitting proudly in pole position, leaving the chasing pack choking in their dust. They already enjoy a sizable points advantage over Sevilla in second place, and the pacesetters are showing no signs of slowing down.

Madrid enters this match with their league form at 14 wins and four draws against just two defeats. They have scored 41 goals in their opening 20 games, conceding 17. Those numbers make Madrid the competition’s best side, and they have out-scored the rest of the league by some distance, but they don’t yet hold the best form in the division. That title goes to Seville, who have leaked just 13 goals, but that won’t worry anyone in the Real Madrid camp as their strikers are doing what is required of them to ensure Madrid keep winning matches and collecting points.

Despite sitting top of the league, eight points clear of their nearest challengers, Real Madrid suffered defeat in their last game and have failed to win two of their last three, taking four points from the nine that was available to them. They wrapped up 2021 with a 2-1 away win over Athletic Bilbao but suffered a shock loss at Getafe on Sunday, beaten by a single goal scored by Unal on nine minutes. That was a frustrating outing for Madrid and a defeat the players will be desperate to bounce back from.

Valencia won three on the bounce

Valencia headed into game week sitting down in eighth place, which is much lower than fans expected when making their predictions back in the summer. The visitors are a team capable of challenging for a European slot with a chance of pushing for a top-four berth and involvement in the UEFA Champions League, but they are a long way off that mark this year. Everyone inside the away dressing room knows the size of the challenge that lies ahead of them here but are also well aware of the damage another loss could do to their chances of forcing their way into the leading pack.

Their stats so far explains why they are closer to midtable than they are the leaders. Valencia has won seven and drawn seven of their opening 19 league matches, losing the other game contests. They have scored 31 goals, which is impressive, but have conceded 28. Looking at those numbers, we see Valencia has conceded more than Elche, who is fourth from the bottom of the league and involved in a relegation fight. But they have found the net more times than Sevilla, who are currently in second. Drastic improvement in their defence is needed and quickly if they are to climb the ladder.

Valencia’s recent form shows they have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five. They did suffer that spare defeat in their most recent game, but that negative result came on the back of three wins on the spin. They built up a real head of steam, banking nine points from nine to pass the winter stragglers before losing at home to Espanyol on New Year’s Eve. Valencia had led in that game until the 83rd minute before two late goals from Espanyol delivered a body blow. It was a tough one to take but a setback Valencia must respond to.

Real Madrid v Valencia prediction

Real Madrid appears to hold all the aces here. They are the best team in the league on form and hold the advantage of playing at home, cheered on by their supporters. They did suffer that shock loss last time out, but that looked to be something of a freak result, and the home team, if at their best, have the quality and skill to get back to winning ways at the earliest opportunity. Fans will expect to see a comfortable three points here.

Valencia was also beaten last time, and it was a shock result, but they will take heart from their recent form and those three wins on the bounce. If Madrid fails to take this challenge seriously, thinking they only need to turn up in order to win, Valencia is good enough and tough enough to grind out a result.

La Liga odds

Real Madrid is priced at 1.344 with 22bet to win this match while Valencia are available at 8.4, and the draw is 5.25.

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