By KBC Associate 
Match Preview for Real Madrid v Valencia
Real Madrid will look to maintain the momentum generated by Tuesday night’s dramatic escape act against Real Sociedad when they host Valencia on Saturday.
Madrid’s hopes of a domestic and continental treble appeared to be over with Sociedad leading 3-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate with just eight minutes remaining at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
But Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni scored to put the home side ahead overall only for Mikel Oyarzabal’s late goal to send the tie to extra-time. Antonio Rudiger, who has emerged as the scorer of crucial goals this season, popped up with five minutes to go to send Madrid through to a final clash with Barcelona.
It was the kind of evening that can do wonders for a team’s self-belief and Madrid will need plenty heading into a crucial week as, after Valencia, they go to Arsenal for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
While defending the European crown they won last season is always a priority at Madrid, their first task is to keep the pressure up on Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
The Catalans currently have a three-point advantage at the summit and play Real Betis later on Saturday.
🤙 @ViniJr 🤙 pic.twitter.com/K5PrWHGvDI
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 3, 2025
Valencia won’t be straightforward opposition for Madrid given their improvement under Carlos Corberan.
Corberan was appointed on Christmas Day with Los Che second from bottom in La Liga and four points from safety.
Although he lost his first game in charge – against Madrid at Mestalla – his team have lost just two of the subsequent 11 games, and they were against high-flying Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Valencia will arrive in the capital in 15th place, four points above the drop zone.
Team News for Real Madrid v Valencia
Madrid are facing a goalkeeping crisis for Saturday.
Thibaut Courtois is still sidelined after sustaining a muscle injury when on international duty with Belgium, although it is hoped he will be fit for the trip to the Emirates.
Reserve Andriy Lunin, who deputised against Leganes and Sociedad, has reportedly suffered a calf injury and is fighting to be fit for the weekend.
Should the pair both be ruled out, coach Carlo Ancelotti will have to turn to 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez, who is the regular goalkeeper for reserve side Real Madrid Castilla.
Valencia have their own problems with three players missing through suspension, Jose Gaya, Luis Rioja and Dimitri Foulquier.
That means Corberan is likely to line up with a five-man defence and try to play on the counter.
Mouctar Diakhaby will return after starting the 1-0 win over Real Mallorca on the bench.
Predicted line-ups for Real Madrid v Valencia
Real Madrid: Gonzalez; Vazquez, Rudiger, Asencio, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe
Valencia: Mamardashvili; Perez, Tarrega, Diakhaby, Mosquera, Vazquez; Barrenechea, Guerra; Almeida, Lopez, Sadiq
How to watch Real Madrid v Valencia: TV and stream
Real Madrid versus Valencia kicks off at 3.15pm UK time on Saturday. It is being shown on La Liga TV.
You can stream it via the La Liga app and Premier Player.