Real Madrid are looking to start 2025 with a bang as Carlo Ancelotti’s side return to La Liga against Valencia.

Two months after Real Madrid’s game against Valencia was postponed due to the DANA disaster, the two clubs will meet in the first La Liga game of the new year. Los Blancos go into the game just one point behind Atlético Madrid and can take the lead in La Liga with a win on Friday. A win would also give Ancelotti’s side a five-point lead over Barcelona.

Although the visitors are still without the injured Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão and David Alaba, Real Madrid are as fit as ever and can field their strongest midfield and attack against their 19th-placed opponents. Valencia have not won a La Liga game since November 23 and have fired their former head coach Ruben Baraja at the end of 2024.

This is what Real Madrid’s team could look like on January 3rd against Valencia.

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TW: Thibaut Courtois—The Belgian is back between the posts and looking for his seventh clean sheet in La Liga this season.

RB: Lucas Vazquez– Despite increasing reports of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s possible move to Madrid, Vázquez is still the man on the right for Los Blancos.

CB: Aurélien Tchouaméni—The Frenchman may prefer midfield but will continue to play as a centre-back due to Real Madrid’s injury problems.

CB: Antonio Rüdiger—Rüdiger’s physicality should be enough to halt Valencia’s faltering attack, which has scored just two goals from play in its last four games.

LB: Ferland Mendy– Having fully recovered from his muscle injury, it is safe to assume that Mendy will be preferred at left-back over Fran García.

CM: Fede Valverde—The Uruguayan added another incredible goal from distance to his resume in Real Madrid’s final game of 2024.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga—Camavinga was called up at left-back against Sevilla, but the Frenchman is expected to be on his way back to midfield.

CM: Jude Bellingham– The England international has managed up to seven goals and five assists in all competitions, despite failing to score a single goal in the first three months of the season.

RW: Rodrygo—The Brazilian will try to score in his fourth consecutive game since returning from injury.

ST: Kylian Mbappe—Mbappé delivered his best performance in the white jersey against Sevilla. The Frenchman has also found the net in six of Real Madrid’s last eight games.

LW: Vinicius Junior– The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award winner is back from suspension and should prevail against a Valencia defense that hasn’t kept a clean sheet in La Liga since October 4.

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