Valencia vs Real Madrid Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Valencia:
Domenech; Wass, Gabriel, Garay, Gaya; Parejo, Kondogbia, Soler, Cheryshev; Gomez, Gameiro
Real Madrid:
Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Militao, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Rodrygo, Vinicius, Jovic
The 36th edition of the Spanish Super Cup will be played in new format. Prior to this season, the competition was always a two-legged affair before the start of the Primera season, and contested by La Liga and Copa del Rey winners. The only time it had been changed was the last edition, when the game was played in Tangier, Morocco, and was a one-off game. However, the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, decided to enhance the format introducing a "Final Four" type tournament. In addition, the fixtures will be played in Saudi Arabia, who are to pay the sum of €27.25m per year for the privilege. Valencia will face Real Madrid in the first semi-final, while Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will play the other. The final will be on Sunday. All matches will be held in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Valencia have secured the participation after beat Barcelona in last year's Copa del Rey final. The actual form is good, they are unbeaten on the last seven matches across all competitions. El Che have three victories in La Liga, against Villarreal, Levante and Eibar, while shared the points with Valladolid and Real Madrid. Valencia were seconds away from the victory on that match, only for Karim Benzema to score a 95th-minute equalizer. The Albert Celades' men were also successful in the Champions League, collecting three crucial points in the last match. Valencia qualified for the knock-out phase after won 1:0 against last season's semi-finalists Ajax in Amsterdam on the final day. I believe the players confidence is high at the moment. But coach Celades has one big problem ahead of this match. Key player Rodrigo Moreno has suffered a sprain to his right knee. He was substituted in the finish of the match with Eibar on Saturday and his involvement would appear to be in serious doubt following scans on his knee. Goncalo Guedes, Cristiano Piccini, Manu Vallejo and Lee Kang-in are also struggling with injuries.
Real Madrid are also in good form, thy are unbeaten on the last 14 matches across all competitions. Last time they suffered a defeat was in mid-October when lost 1:0 to Mallorca. Los Blancos began the year with a high 3:0 victory at Getafe. Raphael Varane was double scorer on that match, while Luka Modric netted the third. That encounter marked the third consecutive game in which Real kept clean sheet. However, every story has two sides - Real also failed to score on the previous two matches against Barcelona and Bilbao. Coach Zinedine Zidane has big injury worries ahead of this match. He will not be able to play with two of his most influential players. Karim Benzema, according to the medical report, has got an injury to a muscle in his left leg. Gareth Bale, meanwhile, got a respiratory infection. That means Zidane will be without three of his standout players, as Hazard has already been confirmed as out due to an ankle injury. Marco Asensio remain a long-term absentee. James Rodriguez, Marcelo and Lucas Vazquez have all returned to training, but this match come too soon for them.
Valencia vs Real Madrid Prediction:
I expect a low scoring match here. Valencia have two victories and two draws on the last four matches, but all of them were low scoring. Real Madrid, meanwhile, played goalless draws on two of the last three matches. In addition, Valencia will be without key striker Rodrigo, while Real are missing Benzema and Bale.
Valencia vs Real Madrid Pick: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.25 with Unibet
Possible starting lineups:
Valencia:
Domenech; Wass, Gabriel, Garay, Gaya; Parejo, Kondogbia, Soler, Cheryshev; Gomez, Gameiro
Real Madrid:
Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Militao, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Rodrygo, Vinicius, Jovic
The 36th edition of the Spanish Super Cup will be played in new format. Prior to this season, the competition was always a two-legged affair before the start of the Primera season, and contested by La Liga and Copa del Rey winners. The only time it had been changed was the last edition, when the game was played in Tangier, Morocco, and was a one-off game. However, the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, decided to enhance the format introducing a "Final Four" type tournament. In addition, the fixtures will be played in Saudi Arabia, who are to pay the sum of €27.25m per year for the privilege. Valencia will face Real Madrid in the first semi-final, while Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will play the other. The final will be on Sunday. All matches will be held in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Valencia have secured the participation after beat Barcelona in last year's Copa del Rey final. The actual form is good, they are unbeaten on the last seven matches across all competitions. El Che have three victories in La Liga, against Villarreal, Levante and Eibar, while shared the points with Valladolid and Real Madrid. Valencia were seconds away from the victory on that match, only for Karim Benzema to score a 95th-minute equalizer. The Albert Celades' men were also successful in the Champions League, collecting three crucial points in the last match. Valencia qualified for the knock-out phase after won 1:0 against last season's semi-finalists Ajax in Amsterdam on the final day. I believe the players confidence is high at the moment. But coach Celades has one big problem ahead of this match. Key player Rodrigo Moreno has suffered a sprain to his right knee. He was substituted in the finish of the match with Eibar on Saturday and his involvement would appear to be in serious doubt following scans on his knee. Goncalo Guedes, Cristiano Piccini, Manu Vallejo and Lee Kang-in are also struggling with injuries.
Real Madrid are also in good form, thy are unbeaten on the last 14 matches across all competitions. Last time they suffered a defeat was in mid-October when lost 1:0 to Mallorca. Los Blancos began the year with a high 3:0 victory at Getafe. Raphael Varane was double scorer on that match, while Luka Modric netted the third. That encounter marked the third consecutive game in which Real kept clean sheet. However, every story has two sides - Real also failed to score on the previous two matches against Barcelona and Bilbao. Coach Zinedine Zidane has big injury worries ahead of this match. He will not be able to play with two of his most influential players. Karim Benzema, according to the medical report, has got an injury to a muscle in his left leg. Gareth Bale, meanwhile, got a respiratory infection. That means Zidane will be without three of his standout players, as Hazard has already been confirmed as out due to an ankle injury. Marco Asensio remain a long-term absentee. James Rodriguez, Marcelo and Lucas Vazquez have all returned to training, but this match come too soon for them.
Valencia vs Real Madrid Prediction:
I expect a low scoring match here. Valencia have two victories and two draws on the last four matches, but all of them were low scoring. Real Madrid, meanwhile, played goalless draws on two of the last three matches. In addition, Valencia will be without key striker Rodrigo, while Real are missing Benzema and Bale.
Valencia vs Real Madrid Pick: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.25 with Unibet
