Real Madrid vs Valencia Preview

January 14, 2013 By Angela Asante

Topics: Real Madrid, Valencia, Copa del Rey, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas

Real Madrid and Valencia will engage in a triple header this January. The first of these three crucial fixtures is on Tuesday as Los Blancos host Los Che in a Copa del Rey Last 8 first leg match.

Team news & analysis

Real Madrid’s desire to dethrone Barcelona as Spanish Copa del Rey champions has significantly increased after the former fell 18 points off the top of La Liga table last weekend. The only way for the Spanish giants to recover from their serious headache in the league is by succeeding in cup competitions this season.

In Valencia, Real Madrid arguably have the toughest draw of the Spanish Cup quarter-finals. The good news is that they will be welcoming back Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday. The prolific Portuguese goal scorer was absent last weekend through suspension. His side apparently felt his absence as they drew blank against Osasuna.

While Jose Mourinho’s front men will aim to put the tie to bed with a flurry of goals, the backline will need to stay tight. Iker Casillas will fight against Antonio Adan to make his third consecutive start in 2013. The veteran goalkeeper will be fired up to keep a clean sheet against the likes of Valencia’s Roberto Soldado and company.

Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, who is serving a five-match ban, will not play. His colleague, Marcelo, could make his long-awaited return from injury. Valencia, meanwhile, will have to manage without skipper David Albelda who sustained a calf injury last Saturday.

Facts

• Real Madrid could meet Spanish Copa del Rey champions Barcelona in the semi-finals. Victory for these two eternal rivals would set up an ‘El Clasico 2013’ battle before the big La Liga clash scheduled before March 3.

• Valencia are eying their eighth win in nine matches in all competitions.

• Cristiano Ronaldo is Real Madrid’s top scorer in the Copa del Rey with 4 goals behind chart leader David Villa (5) of Barcelona.

• Roberto Soldado is in hot goal scoring form for Valencia with eight goals in his last eight matches.