Valencia vs Real Madrid: Mourinho’s side chase eighth straight win at Mestalla

Real Madrid will aim for an eighth consecutive victory in all competitions when they visit Valencia in La Liga on Saturday evening. Jose Mourinho’s side go into the match with confidence after a 3-2 Champions League win over AEK Athens, while Valencia secured some relief with a 1-0 victory at Elche.

Valencia have endured a difficult first half of the season. Javier Aguirre’s side have collected only nine points from 11 league matches and sit 19th in La Liga. Their eight goals represent the joint-worst attacking record in the division, leaving Los Che facing a serious battle to avoid relegation.

Umar Sadiq provided the decisive moment at Elche, scoring the only goal of the game after coming off the bench. Valencia are now seeking successive league wins for the first time since May. Before the November international break, they will also face Tavernes in the first round of the Copa del Rey on 10 November.

Valencia lost both meetings with Real Madrid during the 2025-2026 season, including a 2-0 defeat at Mestalla. However, they will remember a notable 2-1 victory at the Bernabeu in April 2025.

Real Madrid’s recent form has been considerably stronger. They have won seven matches in a row in all competitions, including four successive La Liga games since a 2-1 defeat by Atletico de Madrid before the previous international break.

The visitors are third in the table with 27 points from nine wins and two defeats, three points behind leaders Barcelona. Their 3-2 success against AEK Athens on Wednesday was their fourth victory in the league phase of the 2026-2027 Champions League, strengthening their qualification prospects.

After beating FC Barcelona 2-1 at the end of October, another victory at Mestalla would take Real Madrid level with the Catalan side on 30 points.

Valencia’s recent form is W-D-D-L-W, while Real Madrid have recorded W-D-W-W-W-W in La Liga. In all competitions, Valencia’s sequence is also W-D-D-L-W and Real Madrid’s is W-W-W-W-W-W.

Sergi Canos (knee), Diego Lopez (knee) and David Otorbi (hamstring) are unavailable for Valencia, while Jose Manuel Copete remains doubtful. Sadiq has recovered from a hamstring problem and is expected to start after scoring against Elche. Harvey Elliott is available again after suspension, although his return to the squad still requires confirmation from the manager.

Real Madrid remain without Rodrygo (knee), Raul Asencio (leg) and Ferland Mendy (hip). Vinicius Junior will serve the final match of his domestic suspension. Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni, rested against AEK Athens, have been confirmed as starters by Mourinho. They are expected to play alongside Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konate in central defence, with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham leading the attack and Federico Valverde supporting them.

Probable line-ups

Valencia: Dimitrievski; Martinez, Tarrega, Pepelu, Gaya; Rodriguez; Maffeo, Mayol, Guerra, Rioja; Sadiq.

Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Tchouameni, Bernardo; Guler, Bellingham, Diomande; Mbappe.

Valencia’s home advantage could make this a difficult fixture, but Real Madrid’s attacking quality and outstanding run suggest they will prevail. The predicted score is Valencia 1-2 Real Madrid, a result listed at odds of 7.50 with Betclic. Other selections include Real Madrid and over 2.5 goals at 1.52, and both teams to score at 1.68.