Date: Sat, Nov 1, 2025 — Time: 21:00 CET / 4:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
LaLiga leaders Real Madrid return to the Bernabéu for their only home game of November, aiming to turn last weekend’s Clásico statement into sustained momentum against a wounded Valencia side.
Squad List — Real Madrid
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Fran González, Sergio Mestre
Defenders: Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Álvaro Carreras, Fran García, Ferland Mendy, Huijsen
Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos
Forwards: Vini Jr., Endrick, Mbappé, Rodrygo, Gonzalo, Brahim, Mastantuono
Absences: Dani Carvajal (knee surgery) has begun rehab; Rüdiger and Alaba remain out. The door is open for Trent Alexander-Arnold to log minutes, while Xabi Alonso weighs light rotation with Liverpool visiting midweek.
Form & Context
Madrid’s 2–1 win over Barcelona snapped a mini-hoodoo and widened the gap at the top to five points. Save for the derby blip at Atlético, Alonso’s side has been ruthless in 2025–26 and rides a five-match winning streak across all competitions. The Bernabéu has been a fortress—nine straight league victories at home, the last four featuring multiple Madrid goals.
Valencia, meanwhile, sit in the relegation places after five league matches without a win (D2, L3). A 5–0 Copa del Rey cruise at Maracena in midweek steadied nerves, but away-day league form remains a concern: seven trips without victory and 13 conceded in that span.
Before kickoff, both clubs will pause to honor José Manuel Ochotorena, the former goalkeeper and coach who served each institution with distinction.
What the Manager Said
Xabi Alonso confirmed he’ll rotate where sensible—not with Tuesday on his mind, but to keep Saturday’s tempo high and LaLiga’s “marathon” rhythm intact. The Vinícius Jr. sideline flashpoint from El Clásico has been addressed internally and, per Alonso, “subject closed.”
Head-to-Head Snapshot (recent)
Madrid have taken 7 of the last 10 meetings (D1, L2), though Valencia were the last league side to win at the Bernabéu. The last four clashes in all venues saw both teams score.
Hot Numbers
- Madrid have not trailed at halftime in LaLiga this season.
- Scoring has been confined to one half in each of Madrid’s last three league games.
- None of Valencia’s nine league matches produced more than one first-half goal.
- Valencia away games: early goals pop up—three of five featured strikes before the 20th minute.
Players to Watch
- Jude Bellingham: two goals and an assist across Madrid’s last two outings; his last three strikes arrived between minutes 30–60.
- Arnaut Danjuma (Valencia): two of his last three goals were away from home; two were openers inside 20 minutes.
- Kylian Mbappé: flying start under Alonso, and fresh off his Golden Boot presentation, he’s been Madrid’s vertical outlet and penalty-box compass.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold: potential Bernabéu league bow—delivery on set pieces could be pivotal with Rüdiger/Alaba out.
Likely XIs
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Trent, Militão, Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras; Tchouaméni, Bellingham, Arda Güler; Mastantuono, Mbappé, Rodrygo.
Valencia (4-4-2): Agirrezabala; Thierry Correia, César Tarraga, José Copete, Gayà; Rioja, Javi Guerra, Pepelu, Diego López; Danjuma, Lucas Beltrán.
Unavailable:
- Madrid: Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba; (Lunin suspended).
- Valencia: Foulquier, Diakhaby; Ramazani & Ugrinic (muscle) out. Beltrán (leg) doubtful but listed.
How to Watch
- Spain: DAZN LaLiga
- USA: ESPN Deportes (TV), ESPN+ (stream)
Verdict
Valencia’s cup flurry won’t mask their league issues, especially against a Madrid side humming in and out of possession. Expect Alonso to manage minutes without blunting edge: early territory, set-piece threat via Trent, and transitions spearheaded by Mbappé/Rodrygo.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3–0 Valencia
Anytime picks: Mbappé, Bellingham
Wild card: Arda Güler from zone-14 if Valencia sit deep
Why Madrid Should Like This Matchup
- Control: Tchouaméni’s screening vs. Valencia’s double pivot should shrink counter lanes.
- Width: Trent’s crossing plus inverted runs from Rodrygo/Vini Jr. (if used) stress Gayà’s channel.
- Set Pieces: With Militão back and Huijsen’s aerial profile, Madrid can attack first contacts.
If Los Blancos start with the same intensity they showed against Barcelona, this has the feel of a professional, business-like three points before Liverpool comes calling.