Following Barcelona's draw against Espanyol, Real Madrid has one more chance to jump back into the title race this Sunday, when Rafa Benitez's crew travels to Valencia to face Gary Neville's crew. The former Manchester United right back will try to win his first match as Los Naranjeros' boss since being appointed back in December, and winning his first game against Real Madrid would be something for the ages.
The home team hasn't been able to win a single match since November 21, something that Real Madrid's players will try to take advantage of, considering their opponent are still getting a grip on their new tactician's idea.
Valencia
Coach Neville will have to make due without five players. Feghouli, Bakkali, Rodrigo and Diego Alves won't be available for Los Naranjeros, while Jose Gaya was left out of the squad even after a speedy recovery.
This will be the second home game for Neville as Valencia's coach, having drawn his first against Getafe a couple of weeks ago. A win for Los Naranjeros would be crucial, considering there's still a long way to go in the Spanish top flight, and their chances of nailing a spot to play European football next season is up for grabs.
If Valencia wants to snap out of their six-game winless streak, their go-to guy should be Paco Alcácer. The Spanish striker has scored seven goals for Los Naranjeros, adding four assists to his tally.
Here are Neville's hopes for Sunday's clash against Los Blancos
EQUIPO | @GNev2 is looking forward to the game and hopes for the support of the fans -> https://t.co/EHhSDT28El https://t.co/XgzNEQdImy
— Valencia CF English (@valenciacf_en) January 2, 2016
Real Madrid
Rafa Benitez's term as coach has been surrounded by controversy right from the start, but this game comes in handy to shut up some of his critics. For the first time in months, Benítez will have a full squad to choose from, and that should boost the team's chances of success in their upcoming games.
Los Blancos enter the second half of the season three points behind league leaders Atlético Madrid and Barcelona, and winning against Valencia is crucial for their chances of silverware. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will be key to their intentions up front, while goalkeeping sensation Keylor Navas tries to regain his old form, being able to keep only one clean sheet after El Clasico's blowout at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Cristiano Ronaldo sure knows how to score against Valencia
VINE: World class finish by Ronaldo against Valencia. #HalaMadrid https://t.co/Y8e3ZNNozn
— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) January 2, 2016
Head to head
These teams have played against each other 48 times since 1993. Real Madrid has won 26 of those meetings, drawing 11 and losing 11 more. Nevertheless, Los Blancos haven't been able to defeat Valencia in their most recent three games, earning a couple of draws with the same score line at Santiago Bernabeu's grounds (2-2 both times) and a 2-1 loss during the first weekend of 2015.
Where to watch Valencia vs Real Madrid on TV or online?
Fans in the United States will be able to tune in via beIN Sports en Español, fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. beIN Sports USA at 14:30 EST.
For those La Liga fans living in the U.K., Sky Go UK, NOW TV UK, SKY GO Extra and Sky Sports 3/HD will give them the option to follow this game at 19:30 GMT.
Spanish fans will be able to keep track of this game via Canal+ Partidazo, Movistar TV Fútbol, Abono Futbol 1 at 20:30 CET.
For detailed information about where to watch this game in your country, visit LiveSoccerTV.com's Valencia vs Real Madrid match page.
*Please note all scheduled games are subject to change.
Team sheets for Valencia vs Real Madrid
Valencia's XI:Jaume, Barragan, Abdennour, Santos, Orban, Danilo, Parejo, Andre Gomes, Cancelo, Alcacer, de Paul.
Real Madrid's XI: Navas, Pepe, Ramos, Ronaldo, Kroos, Benzema, Bale, Marcelo, Kovacic, Modric, Danilo.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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