Valencia vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Valencia facing Real Madrid at Mestalla is always one of the most intriguing and entertaining games to watch in Spanish football - and a lot is riding on it this time around.

Kick-off date/time: 8 February 2026 at 8:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels

How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+

Valencia preview: Improved but frustrated

Coached by former West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan, Valencia were under immense pressure just a couple of weeks ago but Los Che are managing to now push themselves away from the bottom three and the relegation places in La Liga.

However, the Valencians do come into this one on the back of a 2-1 loss at home to Athletic Club at Mestalla the other day in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. That was a game that saw Inaki Williams score a 96th minute winner for Athletic to upset Valencia.

Real Madrid preview: Shoddy Los Blancos

Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa is coming under a bit of pressure already with continued in-fighting and his needlessly arrogant smugness in press conferences beginning to bite, amid a Jude Bellingham injury and a Vinicius Junior suspension as they travel to Mestalla.

Madrid did manage to eventually overcome an out of form and nine-man Rayo Vallecano in a Madrid derby at the Bernabeu last weekend, courtesy of a Kylian Mbappe winning goal that was scored in the tenth minute of second-half stoppage-time.

Valencia team news: Defensive issues

Valencia have issues at the back with Juan Manuel Copete and Thierry Correia doubtful, while goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala and centre-back Mouctar Diakhaby remain confirmed absentees.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Dimitrievski; Foulquier, Cumart, Carlos Tarrega, Jose Luis Gaya; Luis Rioja, Pepelu, Ugrinic, Danjuma; Hugo Duro, Beltran

Unavailable: Cristian Rivero (Disciplinary), Julen Agirrezabala (Injured), Diakhaby (Injured) 

Questionable: Copete (Injured), Correia (Injured)

Real Madrid team news: Vinicius suspended

Vinicius Junior picked up a yellow card last week and so he is missing through suspension, while Jude Bellingham limped off with a thigh injury set to keep him out for around a month or so.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Courtois; Fede Valverde, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Camavinga; Mastantuono, Guler, Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos; Mbappe, Rodrygo

Unavailable: Eder Militao (Injured), Bellingham (Injured), Vinicius Junior (Suspended)

Questionable: Rudiger (Injured), Alexander-Arnold (Injured), Mendy (Injured)

Valencia vs Real Madrid prediction

Inexplicably, Real Madrid somehow find themselves just a point behind Barcelona but the way they are playing is some way off that level. Valencia, with home advantage, will fancy their chances to at least get at and bloody the nose of Los Blancos but, as they often do, Real Madrid will be expected to eventually find a way and grind out a victory against Los Che this weekend.

Valencia vs Real Madrid tip: Real Madrid to win & both teams to score