Real Madrid vs Valencia CF, 2017 La Liga: Match Preview

One match down, 37 left to go.

Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images

Real Madrid are set to continue their 2017-18 La Liga campaign this Sunday night against Valencia CF at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid currently sits on top of the league following their 3-0 win against Deportivo La Coruna last weekend. Goals came from Gareth Bale, Casemiro, and Toni Kroos helped seal the win at Riazor.

Although it’s only been one game, it’s nice to see Madrid at a familiar position in the table. With one game down, Madrid still has 37 to go. The next of which is against Valencia CF.

Valencia endured a tough 2016-17 La Liga campaign. ‘Los Che’ went through multiple managerial changes and suffered a disappointing twelfth place finish last season.

To avoid further dissatisfaction, Valencia opted to sign a new manager and a slew of players to kick off the new season. New boss Marcelino joined Valencia after spending three years with Villarreal. Marcelino led ‘The Yellow Submarine’ to three consecutive top-six finishes and into European Cup competition.

In addition to a new manager, Valencia saw an influx of players join the club. Geoffrey Kondogbia (Inter), Zaza (Juventus), Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) and Neto (Juventus) joined the team officially — just to name a few.

With this rejuvenated squad, Valencia will look to challenge, once again, for European football. However, they must first get through Madrid.

‘The Bats’ travel to Madrid having won their previous contest against Las Palmas. Valencia won the match 1-0 with the game’s lone goal coming from Zaza. Valencia totalled 22 shots (six on target) and 25 fouls. Both stats are eye-opening, but the 25 fouls are telling. Valencia is a physical and scrappy side that will likely frustrate Madrid. Keeping a calm head will be significant for Real.

Valencia will be without three regular starters due to injury. Martin Montoya (muscle strain), Gabriel Paulista (knee injury) and Nani (knee injury) are all expected to be sidelined.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos will miss the match due to suspensions.

Projected starting XI:

Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Carvajal, Nacho, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Casemiro; Bale, Asensio, Benzema

Valencia CF: Neto; Garay, Cancelo, Vezo, Gaya; Vidal, Medran, Soler, Parejo; Zaza, Rodrigo

How to watch

Date: 08/27/2017

Time: 22:15 CET, 04:15pm EST, 01:15 pm Pacific.

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain.

Available TV: BeIN Sports (USA), Sky Sports Football (UK), Canal+ Partidazo (Spain).

Available Streaming: BeIN Sports (USA), Fubo.TV (EVERY Real Madrid game with a high-quality and legal stream, click here to sign up and benefit from a summer discount for new members and Managing Madrid readers).