Real Madrid to ease to routine win
Real Madrid lost ground in the race for the La Liga crown with a disappointing stalemate against injury-hit Real Sociedad at the weekend, but must now dust themselves down and get back to winning ways when they welcome a Valencia side that are just a point above the relegation zone to the Santiago Bernabéu on Thursday evening. Read our preview here:
Cam with a plan
With both Ferland Mendy and David Alaba out, Carlo Ancelotti has had to turn to Eduardo Camavinga to fill in at left-back as of late. The young defensive midfielder has held his own in that position, giving Los Blancos a solid platform from which to attack in numbers. Compatriot Aurélien Tchouaméni is a doubt for Thursday's game, meaning bit-part player Dani Ceballos might get another start in the heart of the XI. The world giants had 20 shots in their last game but without a single goal to show for it. The onus will once again be on them to take the game to their opponents who are currently low in confidence.
Planet Gayà
Los Ches dismissed Gennaro Gattuso just a few days ago as head coach, having led his charges on a worrying downward spiral towards the wrong end of the standings. Voro will once again take over on an interim basis, having taken temporary stints in the dugout in addition to a single permanent one at senior level on no fewer than six previous occasions. José Gayà is carrying a knock but will almost certainly be risked in a game where even a draw would be a significant result. Up top, Edinson Cavani is enjoying a decent spell, having hit five in 11 league games, but the veteran Uruguayan striker needs more goalscoring support from the underperforming trio behind him if his current club are to halt the slide.
Betting tip
Casumo have odds of 7.00 for a 2-0 win for Real Madrid, which would temporarily cut the gap between themselves and leaders Barcelona back to five points.
