Here is the Real Madrid predicted XI vs. Valencia on Sunday, Jan. 3, when LaLiga resumes, with the Merengues sitting just behind crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid in the table.
On Friday, Jan. 3, Real Madrid will return to action after the holiday break to take on one of the worst teams in LaLiga, 19th-placed Valencia, who are opposite in the table to second-placed Real Madrid.
After dropping four goals on Sevilla in their last matchup, Real are riding high and like their chances of finishing the second half of the season strong, even as they remain second despite previous title favorites Barcelona faltering.
That’s because Atletico Madrid are just as formidable of a title foe to the Royal Whites, having taken down Barcelona at the last second in a thrilling 2-1 victory before the break.
Although Valencia are a fallen giant mired in crisis with a serious threat of relegation amidst the backdrop of a tragic natural disaster that forced this game’s postponement to the new year, they are precisely the kind of team that can – and has historically – upset Real Madrid.
Trips to the venerable Mestalla are never easy for any team, but they are especially difficult for Los Blancos. Here is a look at the Real Madrid predicted XI vs. Valencia on Friday.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois is the obvious starter in goal, and he will need to be sharper than he was against Sevilla, as he surrendered a cheap goal at the near post and nearly gifted the visitors a goal with a very poor pass.
LB Fran Garcia
Ferland Mendy should be 100 percent by now and was in the squad before the break against Sevilla, but Carlo Ancelotti will likely ease him into action and give Fran Garcia one more chance to prove his mettle.
CB Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger has always been a must-start for Real Madrid, but he’s become that much more important now since David Alaba remains out and Eder Militao has been lost for the season again.
CB Aurelien Tchouameni
Real Madrid really need to go back to Raul Asencio, who was the team’s best defensive player in his three starts at center back. The 21-year-old can be the future of this team in central defense.
However, Carlo seems to be dead set on Aurelien Tchouameni at center back. Tchou has to improve against Valencia, as he gave up yet another goal due to poor marking during the 4-2 win over Sevilla.
RB Lucas Vazquez
Lucas Vazquez put in a grand shift against Sevilla last time out, and he’ll have to replicate that performance, particularly defensively, against a Valencia side that will put their heart and soul into upsetting Real Madrid.
It’s easy to forget that Vazquez is one of the better right backs in LaLiga due to his work rate, chance creation, and ability to tirelessly progress the ball up the flank offensively.
CM Eduardo Camavinga
Eduardo Camavinga is a legitimately world-class center midfielder, and the regular starting job in the middle of the park next to Fede Valverde is clearly his to lose.
Real Madrid need to entrust Camavinga with the starting spot right off the bat to kick off 2025. Valencia’s midfield is better than people think, which means Cama’s energy on both ends of the pitch can be even more essential to victory on Friday.
CM Fede Valverde
The Uruguayan international has scored two bangers from range in his last two LaLiga matchups, as Fede is one of the best overall players in LaLiga at any position, not just in center midfield.
Valverde is one of the biggest fixtures in the Real Madrid starting lineup now, and a big Friday night match at the Mestalla is exactly the right venue for Fede to build his sneaky LaLiga Player of the Season case even more.
AM Jude Bellingham
Of course, Jude Bellingham is another world-class Real Madrid midfielder with a strong Player of the Season case, as he was the actual Player of the Season in 2023/24, his first season with Real. By the way, he was the Bundesliga Player of the Season for Dortmund in the previous campaign, too.
Bellingham scored six in six straight before a more all-around, supporting performance against Sevilla. The English superstar can fulfill whatever role is necessary to Madrid, and it seems like he’ll be asked to do a lot of the dirty work as a more unsung hero against Valencia.
LW Vinicius Junior
After Vinicius Junior served his suspension against Sevilla for too many yellow cards, he’s back in the Real Madrid predicted XI vs. Valencia to combine with Kylian Mbappe, who is reaching his best level after a top performance against Sevilla in Vini Jr.’s absence.
Vinicius Jr. is one of the favorites to win the LaLiga Player of the Season award after securing more individual silverware for his 2023/24 campaign. Together, Vinicius Jr. and Mbappe looked at their most dangerous in a 3-0 dismantling of Mexican side Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup, and that could foreshadow a big day for both Madrid superstars vs. Valencia; a side Vini Jr. loves to tear to shreds for their past transgressions.
CF Kylian Mbappe
After hitting rock bottom with a putrid performance against Athletic Club, Kylian Mbappe is ready to roast Valencia. He was incredible all-around against Sevilla, scoring a great goal from range early against the Nervionsenses, constantly creating danger and even producing a world-class assist for Brahim Diaz to seal the deal at four.
Yes, Mbappe could still stand to improve his finishing, but the goals will continue to pour out of the ketchup bottle. Mbappe quietly has a solid 10 on the season, and he could make a hat trick against Valencia with his form back and both Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Jr. in the Real Madrid lineup with him.
RW Rodrygo Goes
Rodrygo has been quietly excellent these last few games, including carrying the team without Mbappe or Vini Jr. in the starting lineup against Rayo Vallecano. The Brazilian right winger is one of the best players in the league from a creative perspective, and he could be the most important X-Factor.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He covered Real Madrid from 2019-2022 for The Real Champs as a site manager. You can contact him at kparvizi19[at]gmail.com.