Real Madrid host Valencia in La Liga on Thursday night looking to reduce the point gap between them and the league leaders to five points.
Madrid come into the game on the back of a barren draw with Real Sociedad, leaving them in second place, 8 points behind Barcelona.
Valencia on other hand lost 1-0 against Real Valladolid and are languishing in 14th place with 20 points.
Real Madrid are one of only two Spanish top-flight clubs who are yet to lose on home soil so far this season and are confident ahead of this clash.
They have already beaten Valencia this month on penalties with a 4-3 triumph in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals after a 1-1 draw.
Real are unbeaten in their last 14 La Liga games against Valencia at home and could equal a record in this regard by avoiding defeat in this fixture.
After failing to win only one of their first 11 La Liga games this season, Madrid have dropped points in four of their last seven games.
It will be a tough test for Valencia who have won only three of their last 16 matches on the road, dating back to March 2022.
Valencia confirmed on Monday that head coach Gennaro Gattuso has left the club by mutual consent and are desperate to turn their season around.
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What time does Madrid vs Valencia start?
The game kicks off at 11pm Kenyan time at the Santiago Bernabeau.
Madrid vs Valencia team news
Defenders Ferland Mendy and David Alaba are ruled out of this game with injuries and are joined by Lucas Vasquez on the sidelines.
Madrid however welcome back Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Carvajal with the latter likely to feature in the starting line-up.
Karim Benzema has scored in each of his last seven La Liga matches against Valencia and will lead the attacking line, supported by Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde.
Mouctar Diakhaby, Hugo Guillamon, Justin Kluivert and Ilaix Moriba all pushing for recalls for the visiting side after sitting out the last game.
Top scorer Edinson Cavani has failed to score in his last three games but he will retain his spot in the first XI.
Madrid vs Valencia head to head
The hosts have a good recent record against Valencia and have won 31 out of the last 55 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Valencia’s 11 victories.
Madrid vs Valencia current form
The home team have won 3, lost once and drawn once in their last 5 games while their opponents have only one win to their name in that time.
They have suffered three defeats in that run.
Madrid vs Valencia prediction
With home advantage and their recent success over Valencia, Real Madrid are tipped as favorites to win this game.