Real Madrid v Valencia tips: La Liga best bets and preview

Real Madrid host Valencia in a midweek La Liga match to be aired on ITV4. Liam Kelly previews the game and provides a best bet.

Real Madrid's title chances are waning by the week.

Sunday's goalless draw with Real Sociedad handed Barcelona a five-point advantage heading into a couple of midweek La Liga fixtures, failing to capitalise on the few good chances they created.

With Barcelona playing the day before, this match-up might be a must-win by the time Thursday comes around.

As the main markets suggest, Real are certainly expected to beat Valencia at the Bernabéu, but Carlo Ancelotti's side are just too short to be trusted at present.

There should, however, be confidence in backing Real to at least create scoring opportunities against this opponent.

Valencia have displayed defensive frailties in their current four-game winless run in the league, conceding a total of 6.1 expected goals against (xGA) despite some fairly favourable fixtures.

Indeed, some Valencia fan pressure is, unfairly in my opinion, being applied to manager Gennaro Gattuso.

Real Madrid v Valencia best bets and score prediction

• 1.5pts Karim Benzema to score anytime at 20/21 (bet365)

Score prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Valencia (Sky Bet odds: 10/1)

Odds correct at 1500 GMT (30/01/23)