La Liga Preview: Real Madrid - Valencia

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas (Marca)

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One down, one to go. Having negotiated their most bitter of rivals last week, Real Madrid will have to take on another ferocious foe when they welcome Valencia to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Resurrection

Rarely has the losing team in El Clasico attracted as much plaudits and rave reviews as the victor. But that was precisely what happened throughout the week after Real Madrid lost 2-0 at Barcelona last Saturday, but still ended up winning high praise from the media, critics, peers and even their staunchest of detractors such as Johan Cruyff.

But the defeat at the Camp Nou did leave the reigning La Liga champions exactly a dozen points off the pace. While it may appear on paper that the title race is all but over for the men in white, there’s mixed reaction around the Bernabeu camp over whether or not they can pull off the greatest of comebacks – for the second time in three years – and successfully defend their crown. While some players are confident they can, others are more reserved.

But there’s no questioning that the appointment of Juande Ramos as the new coach has breathed new life into the team. Within just a matter of hours upon arrival, the ex-Sevilla trainer had Los Blancos playing sharp, confident attacking football against Zenit St. Petersburg in the Champions League a week and a half ago.

And within days, Juande had the team defending like the impenetrable 2007/08 championship winning side again, despite fielding what was largely a make-shift backline against Barcelona. And it is these rejuvenated performances that have brought about a wave of optimism at the ‘White House’. Rarely has there been a period at Real Madrid where there’s so much positive energy surrounding the club despite the team wallowing in “lowly” fifth place, a colossal 12 points behind not only the league leaders, but their eternal enemies, Barca.

But after losing three successive league games – and four of their last five – it’s now time for Madrid to start making up ground and recover lost points. Impressive displays are great to write about, but Los Merengues have to start putting together a consistent string of victories if they are to truly stay in the title hunt.

V For Vendetta

Although the league table will show that Valencia are the second best team at present after Barcelona, they have been struggling to piece together a decent run of form themselves. They have not been as consistent as they would have liked and their last eight games in all competitions have yielded an assortment of results, including three wins, three draws and two defeats.

In La Liga, Los Che have picked up just two victories in their last five outings and that is the key reason why they have allowed Barca to skip as much as eight points ahead at the summit. And of all the title hopefuls, the Mestalla men have had perhaps the easiest start to the campaign, having met just two of the top seven teams in the standings so far.

Unai Emery’s side have not been any more impressive in the UEFA Cup either, stingily winning only one of their four group games, although they did secure qualification to the knockout phase quite comfortably in the end. It is a competition where the ex-Almeria coach has been very conservative and unadventurous, often calling upon his fringe players and frequently doing just enough to eek out an adequate result.

But defeat for Valencia at the Bernabeu on Saturday could see them drop to as low as fifth place in the league going into the new year. However, that will not be their only source of motivation to bag all three points. Revenge is very much on the minds of the Blanquinegros as they look to avenge the disappointing Supercopa defeat to Madrid back in August. Knowing that they can effectively snuff out the capital club’s fading title hopes this weekend, there is no better time for Los Che to serve the proverbial cold dish.

FORM GUIDE

Real Madrid

Dec 13 Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid (LA LIGA)

Dec 10 Real Madrid 3-0 Zenit St. Petersburg (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

Dec 07 Real Madrid 3-4 Sevilla (LA LIGA)

Nov 29 Getafe 3-1 Real Madrid (LA LIGA)

Nov 25 BATE Borisov 0-1 Real Madrid (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

Valencia

Dec 17 Saint-Etienne 2-2 Valencia (UEFA CUP)

Dec 13 Valencia 2-1 Espanyol (LA LIGA)

Dec 06 Barcelona 4-0 Valencia (LA LIGA)

Dec 04 Valencia 1-1 Club Brugge (UEFA CUP)

Nov 30 Valencia 3-2 Real Betis (LA LIGA)

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Captain, Raul could be forced to sit out as he is still suffering from a bout of influenza. He has rejoined the group for Friday’s morning training session but the coaching staff will wait until the last minute before deciding on his full availability.

Gabriel Heinze and Pepe have yet to recover from their respective injuries but Miguel Torres is available again, while Fabio Cannavaro has shaken off the blow to his thigh he picked up against Barcelona. Wesley Sneijder, however, looks unlikely to win the fitness race as he continues to nurse a hamstring problem.

Marcelo and Arjen Robben are back from suspension but Sergio Ramos, who has caught the flu, will be banned anyway after reaching his yellow card limit. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Mahamadou Diarra and Ruben de la Red are all out for the remainder of the season.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Casillas – Salgado, Metzelder, Cannavaro, Marcelo – Robben, Gago, Guti (c), Drenthe – Higuain, Palanca/Raul

Valencia

Erstwhile Madrid hero, Fernando Morientes is doubtful after sustaining a foot injury in midweek UEFA Cup action, although he has been called up to the squad. Miguel Angel Angulo, however, has been omitted, despite resuming normal training after being sidelined for a month with a twisted knee ligament.

David Silva has completed rehabilitation on his ankle after undergoing surgery three months ago. He made a cameo appearance as a substitute last weekend against Espanyol and in midweek at St. Etienne and he will now be looking to return to the starting line-up.

Alexis, Edu and Pablo Hernandez have all been left back in Valencia to recover from their respective niggles, as has Emiliano Moretti who is also suspended.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Renan – Miguel, Albiol, Marchena (c), Del Horno –Joaquin, Albelda, Manuel Fernandes, Vicente/Silva – Mata, Villa

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Madrid

Iker Casillas almost single-handedly stole the El Clasico spotlight last weekend after a superlative individual performance. His goal is likely to come under substantial siege again from a Valencia side who have failed to score in just two of the 25 competitive games they have played so far this season. ‘San Iker’ won glowing reviews for his display against the Blaugrana and he will be eager to prove that it wasn’t a once-off, and that he is truly back to his acrobatic best.

Valencia

Part of the reason why Valencia have been so efficient in front of goal is because of David Villa. He is the league’s second leading scorer with 12 goals, although his form has dipped slightly, having netted just twice in his last six La Liga games. But he will be spurred on by his excellent record against the blancos, just like ex-Madrid canterano Juan Mata would. The 20-year-old has always done well against his former club and it will come as no surprise if he pulls off another match-winning performance.

PREDICTION

Madrid will be out for a slice of their own revenge after stumbling 3-2 at home the last time both teams met in the league.

As a testament to how fierce the rivalry between the two sides has become over the past few years, the hear-to-head record has been fairly even. In the past ten meetings in La Liga, Los Blancos have won four times while Los Che have picked up three wins.

This could be another intriguingly tight affair or an entertainingly open game, a la the Supercopa, but the re-invigorated spirit that has permeated the entire white-half of Madrid should give them the advantage.

Real Madrid 2-1 Valencia

KS Leong, Goal.com