The fight for the La Liga title remains a bit of a dogfight after 28 matches. Real Madrid sits just two points behind Barcelona, in second place, eight points ahead of third-place Sevilla. While Barcelona has two more wins on the season, Real Madrid has two fewer losses — and four more draws. On Thursday they welcome Valencia to the Bernabeu. Valencia is currently in seventh place but is only four points out of fourth place — and an automatic slot in the 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League, despite a -1 goal differential. Valencia is looking for wins to move up toward qualification for the European showcase, while Real Madrid is looking to stay hot on the heels of Barcelona. Which team will prevail? Don’t miss our sports betting preview of Thursday’s La Liga showdown. Let’s see how the La Liga Odds will be for the Real Madrid vs Valencia.
La Liga: Real Madrid vs Valencia (June 18)
- When: Thursday, June 18, 2020, 4:00 pm ET
- Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
- TV: beIN SPORTS
- Radio: None
- Live Stream: fuboTV
- La Liga Odds: Valencia 8.40 / Draw 5.30 / Real Madrid 1.44
Why should you put your money on Valencia?
Valencia comes in with a couple more days of rest, which could prove crucial in the second half. They hosted Levante on Friday and played to a 1-1 draw, a match that Valencia would love to have back. Levante lost Roger Marti to a red card in the 74th minute, and it looked like Valencia would take advantage when Rodrigo cashed in in the 89th minute. However, Gonzalo Melero swiped the point for Levante by scoring eight minutes into injury time at the end of the second half. Those two lost points could have helped Valencia creep closer to fourth place; we’ll see if they have the spirit to pursue them on Thursday instead.
Valencia and Levante split possession evenly, but Levante outshot the hosts, 15-10 (5-2 on target). The teams combined for 24 fouls and four yellow cards, with Levante also picked up the big red. Levante overall applied more pressure throughout the match, generating six corner kicks, to none for the hosts. Valencia will have to approach this match with some more vigor on offense if they hope to have a chance to cash in against one of the league’s storied greats.
Why should you bet on Real Madrid?
Real Madrid comes in off the momentum of a 3-1 whipping of Eibar at home on Sunday. The hosts got things going in a hurry with Toni Kroos scoring in the fourth minute. Sergio Ramos added a goal in the 30th minute, and then Marcelo Vieira made it 3-0 in the 37th. In the second half, it looked like Real Madrid might post a clean sheet, but then Pedro Bigas scored for the visitors in the 60th minute to render the final score.
Real Madrid possessed for 57 percent of the match and was most economical with their shot selection, launching just five shots, to nine for the visitors. However, all five of those shots were on frame, and three went into the net. Eibar sent six shots on frame, but five of them were parried. The match was not particularly spirited, with the teams combining for just 23 fouls and a pair of yellow cards. This seemed to be a case of Real Madrid dispatching the opposition and then hanging back to finish out the 90 minutes. Can Real Madrid do the same thing against a Valencia side that will have more to play for?
Real Madrid vs Valencia Final Score Prediction
It was disappointing to see Valencia cough up those points against Levante, and now they have to play one of the great teams in all of Europe in order to make up some of that deficit. I don’t see this happening at the Bernabeu, even if the stadium will be empty of fans. I see Real Madrid opening the scoring early and then cruising, with a final score of Real Madrid 3, Valencia 1.
