Valencia vs Real Madrid Betting Tips

Benitez has worked abroad since leaving the club in the summer of 2004 so this will be his first return and he is likely to be more warmly greeted by his old fans than his new ones, who aren’t convinced he is the man to lead Los Blancos. Some rumours are already circulating that Benitez will lose his job if Real Madrid lose this game so it is high stakes for everyone involved.

None more so than Gary Neville, who hasn’t made a good start to his managerial career. Just 1 win against lower league Barakaldo in the Copa del Rey is all he has to show for his labour so far, 5 games in to his role at Valencia. A big result against one of the giants of world football could help the Englishman win hearts and minds in his new home, where there was an air of skepticism around his appointment which certainly hasn’t gone away.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 3-1 in midweek but despite some big wins at the Bernabeu, they haven’t been at all impressive away from home of late and have lost 2 of their last 3 games on the road in the league, falling to defeats at Sevilla and Villarreal.

Valencia are looking to get in amongst that group of teams chasing the European places and this represents a similar kind of challenge for Real Madrid. Los Blancos are heavy favourites for this game but it’s hard to justify that when you consider their recent struggles and the fact that Valencia haven’t been beaten at the Mestalla in the league in over a year.

It’s almost a year to the day of Real Madrid’s last visit to this stadium when Valencia emerged 2-1 winners and although they aren’t playing quite as well now, there is still some quality in this side and at 8/5 they are good value to avoid defeat as they did when Barcelona visited last month.

The Mestalla will be buzzing for this match and with neither side on top of their game, a draw might be the more likely outcome and you can back it to finish 1-1 at 7/1.