Match preview
Real Valladolid will host reigning La Liga champions Real Madrid at the José Zorrilla Stadium on Saturday as they look to keep their survival hopes alive. The Pucelanos are currently battling relegation with the 21 points they have accrued from 23 outings only placing them 18th on the league table. The journey has been pretty daunting for the Whites and Violets who will enter the weekend's encounter off the back of a 1-1 draw with Eibar.
The result added up to their poor run of form that has seen them pick up just three points from their last six matches, drawing three games and losing the remaining three. In the grand scheme of things, Sergio Gonzales' side has the joint-fourth worst record in the division, having only picked up 10 points from 11 home league matches this season. The last time they won in their own backyard dates as far back as December 11, 2020, where they beat Osasuna by three goals to two.
With Real Madrid ranking second on the list of teams with the highest number of away wins in La Liga this season, the hosts will have a lot to think about heading into the weekend's clash. Zinedine Zidane'e men, despite sitting in second place on the league table, have had their fair share of struggles this term and are looking to make swift amends. Their title defence now hangs in the balance with Atletico Madrid slowly breaking away from the pack. However, a win over Valladolid in Saturday would be a step in the right direction as the point deficit between them and their rivals could be reduced to four, provided Levante delivers an upset at Wanda Metropolitano in the early encounter.
Real Madrid approach their meeting with Valladolid off the back of a 2-0 win over Valencia. Goals by Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos sealed victory for Los Blancos as they took their winning run to three in succession. So far, they have accumulated 15 wins from the 23 games they have featured in so far, drawing four and losing the remaining four games. With the Champions League Round of 16 clash with Atalanta around the corner, Zidane may resort to rotating his squad although the objective will be to win.
Team news
Real Valladolid have a long injury list and will go into Saturday's league encounter without Pablo Hervias, Javi Sanchez, Ruben Garcia, Oscar Plano, Jawad El Yamiq and Maranhao. Lucas Olaza is suspended but Fede, Joaquin Fernandez and Ruben Alcaraz will be available after serving their own suspensions.
Relatively, Zidane will deal with the headache of having a number of his stars absent. They will be without the services of Marcelo, Eder Militao, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Odriozola, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo Goes and Dani Carvajal. Eden Hazard is also not yet fit to return to the side and would, as a result, be omitted from the squad.
Predicted starting XI
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Real Valladolid: Masip; Perez, Joaquin, Bruno, Nacho; Mesa, Fede; Villa, Perez, Rubio; Guardiola
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Real Madrid: Courtois; Vazquez, Varane, Nacho, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius.
Broadcast information
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United States: beIN SPORTS en Español, Fanatiz USA, beIN SPORTS
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United Kingdom: LaLigaTV, Premier Player HD
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Spain: Movistar Laliga 1, Movistar+, Movistar Laliga, Partidazo in Movistar LaLiga, Mitele Plus
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Canada: beIN Sports Canada, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada
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Australia: beIN Sports 1, beIN Sports Connect, Kayo Sports
Match details, result and original broadcast info
Real Valladolid 0 - 1 Real Madrid
February 20, 2021 3:00pmEstadio Municipal José Zorrilla (Valladolid)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
