Real Madrid head into La Liga matchday 2 on top of the league courtesy of goal difference. Los Blancos defeated Celta Vigo 3-1 to kick off the season and will aim to do the same to Real Valladolid on Saturday.
Their opponents, Real Valladolid, started the new season with a victory as well. The purple and white defeated Real Betis 2-1 away from home. This will be Real Valladolid’s second straight away fixture to begin the term.
Zinedine Zidane will be without the services of midfield dynamo Luka Modric. The Croatian was shown a straight red card against Celta Vigo last weekend in the 56th minute.
The manager could deploy James Rodriguez or Isco into the position typically occupied by Modric on the right side of a midfield three. Other than Modric’s absence, Zidane doesn’t have many reasons to change his starting XI.
Karim Benzema opened his scoring account for the season against Celta Vigo and is good value to score once more this weekend. Zidane started Gareth Bale and Vinicius Junior on either side of the Frenchman.
Bale continues to be linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu. This week, Real Madrid offered Bale to Paris Saint-Germain as part of a swap plus cash transfer for Neymar. Paul Pogba is still being linked to Real Madrid as well.
It is unlikely either player will arrive before the end of the transfer window in Spain. However, the speculation continues to dominate news surrounding Real Madrid.
Real Valladolid have several players expected to miss out due to injury. Pablo Hervias, Ruben Alcaraz, Sandro Ramirez, and Luismi are all injured and will most likely play no part.
Madrid’s Eden Hazard is in a fitness race for the weekend. He did not appear for Real Madrid against Celta Vigo. If he is fit, Hazard will play instead of Bale on the right side of the attacking three. Summer signing Rodrygo is set to miss out again due to a hamstring injury.
Real Valladolid have not won in nine attempts against Real Madrid in La Liga. The purple and white managed just one point during that time as they lost eight times. Saturday’s fixture should be more of the same as Real Madrid pick up another victory.
Valladolid should be able to take advantage of Real Madrid’s shaky defence by scoring goals. Expect over 2.5 goals and both teams finding the back of the net as Real Madrid win for a second straight week.
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