As the La Liga season heats up, all eyes turn to the Santiago Bernabéu on November 1, 2025, where league leaders Real Madrid host struggling Valencia in Matchweek 11. Fresh off a hard-fought 2-1 victory in El Clásico against Barcelona, Xabi Alonso's side aims to solidify their five-point lead at the top. Valencia, languishing in 18th place and flirting with relegation, will be desperate for points -- but history and form suggest a tough afternoon ahead for the visitors. Kick-off is at 21:00 CET (16:00 ET), and with Real Madrid unbeaten at home this season, this could be another statement win for the champions.
Real Madrid enter this fixture on a remarkable run, winning 13 of their last 14 matches across all competitions. Their only blemish? A 5-2 derby loss to Atlético Madrid earlier in the campaign. Since then, Los Blancos have been unstoppable, outscoring opponents 22-10 in 10 league games and maintaining a perfect home record. Kylian Mbappé leads the charge with 11 La Liga goals, including the opener against Barcelona last weekend, while Jude Bellingham's midfield dynamism has been pivotal. However, injuries continue to test Alonso's squad depth: Dani Carvajal (knee, out for months), Antonio Rüdiger (thigh), David Alaba (calf), and Andriy Lunin (suspended) are all sidelined. Dean Huijsen steps up in defense, and Trent Alexander-Arnold could make a rare start at right-back after returning from injury.
Valencia, under pressure manager Carlos Corberán, have won just two of their 10 league outings and are winless in five away games this season, failing to score in three. A morale-boosting 5-0 Copa del Rey win over minnows Maracena midweek offers slim hope, but their defense has leaked goals, conceding an average of 1.7 per away match. Key absences include Mouctar Diakhaby (hamstring), Dimitri Foulquier (leg), Largie Ramazani (muscle), Filip Ugrinic (muscle), and Lucas Beltrán (leg, fitness test pending). Hugo Duro, who has a knack for troubling his former club (five goals in eight games against Real), will lead the line alongside Arnaut Danjuma.
Head-to-head, Real hold the edge with six wins in the last 10 meetings, though Valencia stunned them 2-1 at the Bernabéu last April -- their first away win there since 2008. Expect a fiery atmosphere, with these clashes averaging 5.2 yellow cards in recent encounters.
Subs: Vinícius Júnior, Brahim Díaz, Fran García, Luka Modrić.
Subs: Guerra, Almeida, Beltrán (if fit).
Real Madrid's home invincibility (10 straight wins at the Bernabéu) and Valencia's away woes point to a comfortable victory for the hosts.
Predicted Score: Real Madrid 3-1 Valencia - A professional performance extends Madrid's lead, but Duro nabs a consolation on the break.