The La Liga title race is building to a spectacular finish, with the top three sides separated by just a single point. Real Madrid are currently the lowest-ranked of the three, but they're still in an excellent position to capitalize on any slip-ups from Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Zinedine Zidane's side will hope to keep the heat on with a win over Valencia on Sunday, and come into this game fresh from a confidence-boosting victory over Manchester City in Wednesday's Champions League semifinal.
Real Madrid vs. Valencia 2016 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch La Liga online
Real Madrid will hope to keep themselves in the La Liga title race with a win over Valencia on Sunday.
Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images
However, Valencia may be a more difficult opponent than their mid-table league position suggests. Not only have they started to improve since Pako Ayestarán replaced Gary Neville as head coach, but they've also proven to be stubborn opponents for Real Madrid in recent years. They head into the game on the back of a disappointing defeat to Villarreal, but they've certainly got what it takes to make life difficult for their hosts.
Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
This Real Madrid team appear to often lack the imagination that characterizes the truly great teams. It's perhaps that which makes them so reliant on top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, who has chipped in with 31 La Liga goals in 34 appearances so far this season. He has now been eclipsed at the top of the scoring charts by Barcelona's Luis Suárez, but there's little chance of Ronaldo giving up the chase until the final game of the season.
Recent history
Valencia have actually been something of a bogey team for Real Madrid in recent seasons, with the Merengues having won only one of their last six meetings. Valencia are unbeaten in the Santiago Bernabéu in their last two visits; not since 2010 have Madrid managed a home win over Los Che.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Gareth Bale (knee). In doubt: Karim Benzema (hamstring); Casemiro (hip).
Valencia injuries and suspensions
Out: Zakaria Bakkali (pelvis); Denis Cheryshev, José Gayá (thigh). In doubt: André Gomes (back).
Madrid’s only certain absentee is Bale, who picked up a minor knee injury in his side’s win over Manchester City in midweek. However, he could be joined by both Benzema and Casemiro, who missed that match with hamstring and hip injuries respectively.
Valencia will be without young attackers Bakkali and Cheryshev, while talented fullback Gayá is also out injured. Midfielder Gomes will have to recover quickly from a back problem if he’s to be involved.
Match date/time: Sunday, May 8, 11 a.m. ET, 5 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada); Sky Sports Red Button (UK)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (US and Canada); fuboTV (US); Sky Go (UK)
See More:
