Madrid gearing up for Mestalla showdown as Ancelotti prepares rotation
Real Madrid face a tricky trip to Valencia with squad rotation likely as Los Blancos aim to keep pace with Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
Ancelotti’s men head to one of Spain’s most hostile venues looking to maintain pressure on league leaders Barcelona
Mestalla madness awaits
There’s something special about Real Madrid’s trips to Mestalla, innit? The fixture against Valencia has always been a proper tasty affair - loaded with history, drama and the kind of atmosphere that makes your hairs stand on end.
Tonight’s 21:00 kickoff (live on DAZN) wraps up the weekend’s action with both sides desperate for three points, but for very different reasons.
Valencia fighting for survival
The hosts are still battling to climb away from the danger zone at the bottom of the table. Baraja’s men are coming off:
- A disappointing league defeat at Real Betis
- A heartbreaking Copa del Rey exit against Athletic Club, with Iñaki Williams scoring the winner in extra time
With morale taking a right old battering recently, they’ll be hoping Mestalla’s famous atmosphere can give them a boost against the champions.
Madrid’s title chase
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have had a full week to prepare for this one, having already been knocked out of the Copa. With Barcelona securing a comfortable win against Mallorca yesterday, the pressure’s on Madrid to respond and keep the gap at just one point.
Expected lineups
Valencia: Dimitrievski; Foulquier, Comert, Copete, Gayà; Rioja, Ugrinic, Pepelu, Danjuma; Beltrán, Hugo Duro
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Güler; Mastantuono, Mbappé, Brahim
Rotation on the cards
With the Champions League knockout stages looming large, Ancelotti appears set to give some of his fringe players a run-out. The Italian gaffer knows he needs fresh legs for the business end of the season, but can’t afford any slip-ups in what’s turning into a proper two-horse race for the title.
Mbappé will likely lead the line, with youngsters Güler and Mastantuono getting rare starts in what could be a glimpse of Madrid’s attacking future. At the back, Huijsen continues to deputise with Madrid’s defensive injury crisis showing no signs of easing.
This one has all the makings of a proper Bobby Dazzler. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.