Preview: Real Madrid vs. Real Valladolid
Real Madrid will be bidding to return to winning ways in La Liga when they resume their campaign at home to Real Valladolid on Sunday afternoon.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side fell 12 points behind division leaders Barcelona when they suffered a 2-1 loss in El Clasico before the international break, while Real Valladolid were beaten 3-1 by Athletic Bilbao last time out.
Real Madrid will need Barcelona to have a serious wobble to stand any chance of retaining the La Liga title this season, having fallen 12 points behind their rivals by losing El Clasico before the international break.
Los Blancos are also now just five points ahead of third-placed Atletico Madrid, but they are 11 points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis, so it would not be a shock to see Ancelotti prioritise other competitions in the coming weeks, particularly the Champions League.
Real Madrid have work to do in their Copa del Rey semi-final, trailing 1-0 to Barcelona ahead of the second leg of their last-four contest next week, while they will face Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with the capital giants looking to make it back-to-back European Cups.
Los Blancos have the second-best home record in La Liga this season, picking up 28 points from 12 matches, and they will be welcoming a Real Valladolid side with the fourth-worst away record in the division.
Real Madrid have won each of their last four league games against Real Valladolid, including a 2-0 victory in the reverse match earlier this season, and it would be a huge surprise if they dropped more league points this weekend.
The loss to Barcelona before the international break was hugely damaging to their title prospects, but Ancelotti’s side will want to enter the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final off the back of a win here.
Real Valladolid, meanwhile, suffered a 3-1 loss to Athletic before the international break, with the result leaving them in 16th position in the table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
The White and Violets secured a return to Spain’s top flight by finishing second in last season’s Segunda Division, so their main focus this term is on avoiding relegation.
Pacheta’s side are currently involved in a battle for survival at this stage of the campaign, and there are incredibly only three points between Almeria in 19th and Getafe in 13th.
Real Valladolid’s home form is likely to be crucial when it comes to their bid to stay in the top flight, as they have managed six victories in front of their own supporters, in contrast to just two on their travels.
Pucelanos have only managed to win one of their last six league games, though, and the team could find themselves in the relegation zone heading into their next clash with Mallorca on April 9 if they lose at Bernabeu.
Real Madrid La Liga form:
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Real Madrid form (all competitions):
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Real Valladolid La Liga form:
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We say: Real Madrid 2-0 Real Valladolid
This might not be a straightforward match for Real Madrid, as Real Valladolid are battling for their lives towards the bottom of the division. Los Blancos will be determined to return to winning ways following El Clasico, though, and we are expecting the champions to navigate their way to all three points.