Real Madrid vs Valencia Betting Preview: Defensive concerns leave Los Che vulnerable

LA LIGA continues on Thursday night as Real Madrid host Valencia. Tom Love (@TomLove_18) is on-hand to preview the match-up .

Real Madrid vs Valencia | Thursday 18th June 2020, 21:00 | La Liga TV

Barcelona put the pressure back on Real Madrid with a 2-0 win on Tuesday night against Leganes. Los Blancos need a victory on Thursday night if they’re to close the gap to two points again.

Real welcome an inconsistent Valencia side to the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, home of Madrid’s Castillo side as the Bernabeu is undergoing structural developments this summer. Madrid kicked back off with a 3-1 win against Eibar whilst Valencia were held to a draw with local rivals Levante on Friday night.

Los Che still harbour hopes of a top-six finish but they’ll have to improve their performances you’d think, if they are to do so. Valencia were so long known for their stout defence and largely pragmatic approach under former manager Marcelino. Since he has left and Albert Cellades took the reigns, the east coast club have been totally the opposite, often found wanting at the back but posing a threat in attacking areas.

Valencia are conceding an average of 1.70 goals per-game and allowing the second-most shots in the entire league. That’s been something that’s put me off them all season and I’ve been happy to get against them more often than not. What’s more there’s defensive worries from an injury perspective with Jose Gaya and Gabriel both doubts whilst Ezequiel Garay and Cristiano Piccini are both ruled out.

Zinedine Zidane has plenty of options available to him which could be key with the swift fixture turnover from now till the end of the season. Real can’t afford to slip up and I don’t think they will here. They’re short enough to take the three points so I’ll get a bit creative and dip into the BetBuilder market on Bet365.

Given Valencia’s propensity to concede good chances and lots of shots I’ll kick things off with the hosts notching Over 1 goal and having Over 3 corners. I’ll also throw in both sides to have Under 5 Cards. These two both rank as top four for good discipline, both average around two cards per-game so I can’t see a crazy game. It’s not Granada versus Getafe, let’s put it that way!

If you combine all of these together you get a nice even-money shot and as a stats-based play it’s one I’m keen on for the game Thursday evening.