Headline: Real Madrid Seeks Eighth Consecutive Victory Against Valencia at Mestalla
Real Madrid will strive for their eighth consecutive victory as they face Valencia later tonight at Mestalla in La Liga. Following a defeat to Atletico Madrid in September, Los Blancos have achieved a remarkable seven-game winning streak, defeating notable opponents such as AS Roma, Barcelona, RB Leipzig, and Villarreal.
In their most recent outing, Real Madrid showcased resilience with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over AEK Athens in the UEFA Champions League. With this being the last match before the international break, Jose Mourinho and his squad are eager to conclude on a high note, simultaneously aiming to apply pressure on rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who meet tomorrow at the Metropolitano.
The team enters the match boosted by the returns of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni, both of whom were rested during the trip to Athens earlier this week. However, Vinicius Jr. will miss the game, serving the final match of a four-game ban, while Raul Asencio, Rodrygo Goes, and Ferland Mendy will remain sidelined due to injuries.
Mourinho is expected to implement some tactical changes for the match against Javier Aguirre’s Valencia side.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois will continue to be the undisputed starter in goal for Real Madrid, aiming to secure a clean sheet, as the team has managed only one in their last six matches. In the defensive line, Mourinho has indicated that Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konate will take positions as centre-backs, stepping in for Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger, who played in the previous match.
Captain Federico Valverde is likely to return to the starting lineup following his match-winning performance against Athens. He will occupy the right-back position, supported by Denzel Dumfries and Trent Alexander-Arnold. On the left side, Alvaro Carreras may start ahead of Marc Cucurella, who has featured in the last three matches.
Midfield
Aurelien Tchouameni is set to make his return to the starting lineup after being rested against AEK Athens, replacing Eduardo Camavinga as the defensive midfielder in a double pivot. Partnering him will be summer signing Bernardo Silva, who has begun to establish his presence and influence on the pitch in recent games.
Jude Bellingham, named Real Madrid’s Player of the Month for October, will continue his role as the attacking midfielder, looking to build on his impressive form.
Attack
Arda Guler, returning to the squad after a rest, will start against Valencia, positioned on the right flank to create scoring opportunities. Yan Diomande, who has been performing well since the last international break, will occupy the left flank in the absence of Vinicius Jr. Kylian Mbappe will take up the centre-forward position, aiming to increase his goal tally to 16 this season. Players such as Endrick, Carlos Espi, and Brahim Diaz will be available to come off the bench as needed.
