Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
There will be fireworks when Real Madrid and Valencia face each other at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in the La Liga round 13. Los Blancos failed to turn their dominance into victory in a goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano, but they are still two points clear of their bitter rivals Barcelona in the standings. Both Toni Kroos and Rodrygo should be recalled to the starting XI after the duo came off the bench in the local derby, while towering defender Antonio Rudiger misses out through suspension. Key midfielder Jude Bellingham should recover in time to face los Che.
Valencia, on the other hand, defeated Granada thanks to Pepelu’s goal from the penalty spot, but given their difficulties on the road, we are tempted to put our money on the title-chasing hosts. Selim Amallah limped off with injury in the last league match, with Sergi Canos likely to step up. All Andre Almeida, Mouctar Diakhaby, and Alberto Mari miss out with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Toni Kroos):
Toni Kroos is a Real Madrid midfielder who started playing for Bayern Munich II at senior level. He made 13 appearances for the reserve team and on 31 January, 2009 he joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan. He made his Bayer debut on 28 February, 2009, coming as a substitute in a 1-0 loss to Hannover.
The German midfielder scored ten goals in 43 league appearances with the BayArena outfit and in the summer of 2010 he returned to Bayern Munich. Kroos won three Bundesliga trophies with the mighty Bavarian giants (2007/2008, 2012/2013, 2013/2014) and in 2013 he was part of Bayern Munich’s team that won the Champions League trophy.
In 2014, though, he decided to leave the club and the German superstar joined Real Madrid on a six-year-contract. Kroos won the 2015/2016 Champions League trophy with los Blancos and it has to be noted that he produced a thrilling performance in the title game against Atletico Madrid. In 2014 he clinched the FIFA World Cup trophy with Germany.
Highlighted Team (Valencia):
Founded on March 18, 1919, Valencia FC are a Spanish football club that compete in La Liga. Los Che play their home games at Estadio de Mestalla, the stadium which was opened back in May, 1923. The capacity of the venue is 50,000. Seeing that bats are quite common in Valencia, it is no surprise they are nicknamed the Bats.
Valencia made it to the Champions League final on two occasions (2000, 2001), but they were beaten in the title games by Real Madrid and Bayern Munchen respectively. The Spanish club, though, did well to win the UEFA Cup title in the 2003/2004 season, with the team beating Marseille in the final of the competition.
A number of top-class footballers were part of the club in the past, with the likes of Pablo Aimar, Ruben Baraja, David Albelda, Santiago Canizares, John Carew and Gaizka Mendieta all playing for the Estadio de Mestalla outfit. Valencia main colors are white and black, whilst they often where orange jerseys and shorts when playing on the travels.