Real Valladolid vs Real Madrid Prediction: Visitors’ can run up the score

Premier Sports 2 is the channel to tune to on Saturday night if you are looking to watch the reigning Spanish and European champions on the road.

Our Spanish-based football expert Mark Sochon previews the action and picks out his two Best Bets for the game as he gives us his Real Valladolid vs Real Madrid Predictions in his full match preview for us at Betfred Insights...

*You can check out all of the Football Odds we offer over at betfred.com

It’s bottom against top in La Liga on Saturday, as Real Valladolid play host to Real Madrid at the Estadio José Zorrilla. 

These two clubs are linked by Brazilian legend Ronaldo, a star for Los Blancos in the 2000s, and the current owner and president of Real Valladolid. Truth be told, his popularity is still far greater in the white half of the Spanish capital than it is in Valladolid where many fans are keen for him to depart. 

That’s not solely a reflection on this season, but it has been a very difficult 2024/25 campaign and a lack of investment has seen the hostility towards Ronaldo grow. Their chances of even competing to stay in this league may hinge on some quality coming through the door, before the conclusion of the January window. 

Technically speaking, they have made one signing this month so far. That was 18-year-old defender Juma Bah who converted a loan from AIK Freetong in his native Sierra Leone into a permanent transfer for just €125,000 at the start of the month. 

The teenager has been one of the brighter lights in a tough season for Real Valladolid and he was a starter in the 2-1 defeat in the key relegation six-pointer at Espanyol only last Friday. However, a real storm has broken out since then, with Bah and his representatives announcing they had paid his own release clause in order to facilitate a move to Manchester City last week. 

That has enraged Real Valladolid who released an angry statement suggesting they will pursue their legal options, with uncertainty over Bah’s situation the unsavoury backdrop to this game from a home perspective. 

On the pitch, they can take a little bit of belief from back-to-back 1-0 home wins over Valencia and Real Betis. There have been some subtle improvements since the appointment of Diego Cocca last month, but they still head into this game with La Liga’s worst defensive record and joint worst goalscoring record. 

That suggests this match should hold little fear for the leaders. It was a near perfect weekend for Real Madrid last time out, as they brushed aside Las Palmas 4-1, despite conceding inside 30 seconds, while both Barcelona and Atlético Madrid dropped points. 

Los Blancos top La Liga as a result, with a significant seven-point advantage on Barcelona. That’s despite the dominance the Catalans exerted over Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the Supercopa only a fortnight ago in Saudi Arabia. 

Since that 5-2 defeat, Real Madrid have rattled in 14 goals in three matches in all competitions, with a 5-1 home win over Salzburg on Wednesday securing their progress in the Champions League. 

Kylian Mbappé was on target in that game, while Rodrygo and Vinícius Junior both scored twice. If that front three can maintain their current form, Real Madrid could be very tough to catch in this title race, as while their defensive issues remain, they have enough firepower to breeze past most of their domestic opponents. 

Their results so far this season largely back that theory up. Despite not playing brilliantly, they’ve dropped just two points in 11 league matches against teams in the bottom half of La Liga heading into this weekend.  

However, they’ve only picked up a single point from their three games against fellow top four opponents, while Madrid have also been exposed by the strongest sides on the European stage. 

As a result, there’s certainly some substance to the idea that Real Madrid are currently flat-track bullies, with too much individual quality for most sides, but too many flaws to live with the very best. 

Team News: 

Real Valladolid might have liked to switch to a back five in this game, although the Juma Bah situation means that is now difficult, particularly with fellow centre-back Eray Cömert injured. 

Cocca is also missing midfielder Stanko Jurić to suspension. Meanwhile, young winger Raúl Moro, one of their best performers this term, has fractured his collarbone and could be out for at least two months. That means there’ll be at least three changes from the side that started at the RCDE Stadium. 

As for Real Madrid, they are missing Vinícius for the second weekend running due to suspension. Eduardo Camavinga is also currently out injured, along with long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão. 

It’s likely to be a very similar lineup to the one that started against Las Palmas last weekend, with Brahim Díaz and Lucas Vázquez expected to return on the right flank. Aurélien Tchouaméni ought to start at centre-back. 

Real Valladolid vs Real Madrid Odds

Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid are the massive favourites to win this game, with the visitors on offer at 2/9 in the Match Result market. The Draw is priced at 11/2, while you can back a surprise Real Valladolid victory at 10/1. 

Both teams to score is available at 10/11, a winning bet in each of Real Madrid’s last four matches. Over 3.5 goals has also landed in each of those games and is priced at 6/5 here. 

Real Madrid -1.00 Handicap is available at 7/10, while you can back Los Blancos with a -2.00 Handicap at 7/4. Alternatively, Real Valladolid or Draw is on offer at 11/4 in the Double Chance market. 

Mbappé leads the way in the goalscorer markets. The Frenchman is priced at 11/4 to score first and 7/10 to score anytime. You can also get odds of 6/4 for Jude Bellingham to score anytime, while Brahim Díaz is on offer at 15/8 to be on target for the second weekend running. 

If you’re expecting the visitors to dominate, you can also take advantage of a Price Boost and back Real Madrid to win, Mbappé 2+ shots on target and Bellingham 2+ shots on target at 4/1. 

Bet 1 - Over 2.5 Real Madrid goals @ 5/6 

Real Valladolid have been slightly more convincing since the change in management, but they are missing some key players here, and are still fundamentally a team that is short on quality across the pitch. 

Their record against the top three this season is horrendous. They’ve scored none and conceded 15 in their three matches against Barcelona and the Madrid clubs to date. 

With the visitors currently in good touch in front of goal, I’m expecting a pretty comfortable evening for Los Blancos. I’m backing Over 2.5 Real Madrid goals at 5/6, a bet that has landed in eight of their last 12 matches in all competitions.