Valencia vs Real Madrid Preview

January 18, 2013 By Angela Asante

Topics: Valencia, Real Madrid, La Liga, Spanish Copa del Rey

The atmosphere ahead of this fixture is tense. La Liga champions Real Madrid are yet to put their critics to bed while Valencia, who have one foot out of the Copa del Rey, seek for revenge.

Analysis

Valencia were on a four-match winning streak until they lost to Real Madrid in midweek. That encounter, in the Spanish Copa del Rey, was marred by controversy as wrong offside calls went against Valencia amid other incidents.

As a result, this weekend’s league encounter is being hyped around the revenge factor. Los Che, who are not favourites to progress to the Spanish Copa del Rey semis, will be out to torment Los Blancos.

The latter are facing an embarrassing situation in La Liga being 18 points off the top of the standings. It seems to be only a matter of time before Real Madrid officially give up on defending their title. In the meantime, they are yet to reach the 40-point mark.

For the sake of the momentum in the dressing room, Jose Mourinho will ask his players to give their all even if next week’s cup match away to Valencia appears to be more important.

Meanwhile, Los Che have put their eyes on European qualification. They will be facing PSG in this season’s UEFA Champions League Last 16 stage but are currently seventh in La Liga with 30 points.

More points must be gained before Valencia can reserve themselves tickets for the next Champions League competition. This weekend, they could rocket to the fifth position with a rare victory over Real Madrid.

Table

POS.	TEAM	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	D	P
PRIMERA DIVISIÓN 2012/2013
1	Barcelona	19	18	1	0	64	20	+44	55
2	Atlético Madrid	19	14	2	3	40	18	+22	44
3	Real Madrid	19	11	4	4	45	20	+25	37
4	Real Betis	19	11	1	7	30	29	+1	34
5	Málaga	19	9	4	6	29	16	+13	31
6	Rayo Vallecano	19	10	1	8	27	34	-7	31
7	Valencia	19	9	3	7	27	27	+0	30
8	Levante	19	9	3	7	24	27	-3	30