Valencia vs Real Madrid predictions and betting tips – Blancos still in race

Real Madrid have not made life easy for themselves in recent weeks, but despite the chaos and turbulence they remain in the La Liga title race.

Barcelona lead Madrid by just a solitary point, so it would not take much for the Blancos to reclaim top spot. Will they boost their title chances by beating Valencia this weekend?

• Back draw/Real Madrid in the half-time/full-time market – 7/2 with BoyleSports
• Choose more goals in the second half – 11/10 with Sky Bet
• Kylian Mbappe to score any time – 4/6 with Betfred

Valencia vs Real Madrid odds

Find the latest Valencia vs Real Madrid betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Valencia vs Real Madrid predictions

This has been a turbulent season for Real Madrid, who recently ended the Xabi Alonso project after the former midfielder has spent just a few months at the helm.

Madrid are set to stick with Alvaro Arbeloa, his interim replacement, until the summer before looking for a permanent successor to Alonso. But that does not mean they are willing to write off this campaign.

Nor should they. Despite all the drama at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu over the last few months, this could yet be a successful season for Madrid.

Granted, the Copa del Rey will not be on its way to the white half of the Spanish capital following Madrid’s shock defeat by Albacete of the second tier in January. 

The Blancos must also go through the Champions League play-offs after failing to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase.

However, you would still expect Madrid to get the better of Benfica over two legs, despite losing 4-2 to Jose Mourinho’s men on matchday eight.

And they are still in the La Liga title race too: Madrid trail Barcelona by just one point heading into this weekend. 

Given their difficulties in other competitions and off the pitch, Madrid’s league form has gone somewhat under the radar.
Indeed, it may surprise some readers to learn that the Blancos have won six games on the bounce in Spain’s top flight.

No one in the division has as good a record since the turn of the year, while since the beginning of December Madrid have matched Barcelona for points, even if it does not necessarily feel that way.

Madrid left it late to beat Rayo Vallecano last time out. When Vinicius Junior struck after a quarter of an hour, it looked like it would be a routine victory for Arbeloa’s outfit.

But Rayo equalised in the second half and, despite the sending-off of Pathe Ciss in the 80th minute, Inigo Perez’s side managed to keep the score at 1-1.

Until the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time, that is. It was at that moment that Kylian Mbappe stepped up to convert a match-winning penalty, allowing Madrid to keep the heat on Barcelona after their success against Elche a day earlier.

For the second weekend running, Barca will play before Madrid on matchday 23. Assuming the league leaders beat Real Mallorca at home, the Blancos will need to respond once more.

Valencia vs Real Madrid betting tips

Real Madrid resume their La Liga title tilt against Valencia at the Estadio de Mestalla.

Madrid to come through

Try as they might, Valencia just cannot pull decisively clear of the La Liga relegation zone.

Back-to-back wins against Getafe and Espanyol brightened the mood at Mestalla in January, but Valencia began this month with a 2-1 loss to Real Betis.

That was not a disastrous outcome given Betis are flying high in the top five, but it leaves Valencia under pressure. 

Los Che have at least been competitive of late and we reckon they will hold their own against Real Madrid for the first 45 minutes of Sunday’s showdown.

In the end, though, Arbeloa’s side should make their superior quality count.

Back draw/Real Madrid in the half-time/full-time market at 7/2 with BoyleSports

Expect second-half strikes

Real Madrid’s late winner against Rayo Vallecano last time out was not exactly out of character.

From the 76th minute onwards, Madrid have scored 13 goals this term. That is more than any other team in La Liga.

Valencia, for their part, have conceded 10 times in that period of matches, which is the joint-third worst record in the division.

More broadly, there have been plenty of goals in the second half of Madrid’s matches in 2025/26: 39 compared to 26 in the first 45 minutes.

We are likely to see a more eventful second period on Sunday too.

Choose more goals in the second half at 11/10 with Sky Bet

Mbappe the main man

Kylian Mbappe is having a fantastic season for Real Madrid.

In 30 appearances in all competitions, the France international has found the back of the net 37 times.

Mbappe is reliable from the penalty spot, as he demonstrated last weekend, but he poses a bigger threat from open play.

Better backlines than Valencia’s have struggled to keep Mbappe off the scoresheet this term. Do not be surprised if the former Paris Saint-Germain forward is the difference-maker again on Sunday.

Tip Kylian Mbappe to score any time at 4/6 with Betfred

Valencia vs Real Madrid predicted lineups

• Valencia expected lineup: Dimitrievski; Foulquier, Comert, Copete, Gaya; Rioja, Urginic, Pepelu, Danjuma; Beltran, Duro.
• Real Madrid expected lineup: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Diaz.

Where to watch Valencia vs Real Madrid

• Location: Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia, Spain.
• Date and time: Sunday 8th February, 8pm.
• How to watch: Premier Sports 1.

More La Liga predictions

We have plenty more La Liga predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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