Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make some changes against Valencia, in a La Liga game that was previously postponed due to tragic flooding in the Valencia region.

Los Blancos can move to the top of the league with a win, which is a welcome surprise for Ancelotti considering his side are up to six points behind the former following a 4-0 defeat to them in the El Clasico at the Bernabeu League leaders FC Barcelona were in October.

A win in this game could see Madrid move two points clear of crosstown opponents Atletico Madrid and Ancelotti believes it can be a tight finish at the top come May.

“Nobody expected this,” Ancelotti initially said of Barca’s demise at a pre-match press conference, where he also commented on Dani Olmo’s registration debacle.

“But the level of competition in La Liga lowers the points you need to win the title a little. The fact that Atletico is there also creates uncertainty and I think they need less than 90 points to become champions.”

“Just as it happened to us in November, it also happened to Barcelona in December. There is a low point and then you become competitive like before. “Barcelona and Atlético have equal chances to compete with us in La Liga,” he added.

As for 2025, Ancelotti said his team is “taking on a new challenge with great enthusiasm”.

“It will be a challenging game, Valencia changed their coach and it was always difficult for us to play against Valencia.”

“We want to start the year well. It’s a very important game. The team is doing well. The rest days went well. They all came back motivated and in top shape.”

For this reason, barring injuries, Ancelotti will wear the best outfit at his disposal.

It consists of Thibaut Courtois in goal, Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy at right and left back, then Aurelien Tchouameni and Antonio Rüdiger at center back.

Dani Ceballos retains his place in midfield, in a double act alongside Fede Valverde, as they support a more attacking Jude Bellingham on the same lines as left winger Vinicius Jr. and right winger Rodrygo.

At the top, Kylian Mbappé, who is finally hitting form before the Christmas break, is the only striker wearing the number 9.

Regarding Vinicius, who was last suspended against Sevilla, Ancelotti said that the Brazilian was doing “very well”.

“The holidays the players had were good for them. He is fresh, excited and motivated by the awards he has received in the last few days. He’s focused on making a difference tomorrow.”

Vinicius obviously has a history at the Mestalla, but Ancelotti said his men are “thinking about what we find on the pitch” rather than in the stands.

“It is an opponent who has changed coaches and can give the players additional motivation. For me (Ruben) Baraja did a fantastic job, but that happens in football. We expect a challenging game. We have to concentrate on the game and nothing else,” Ancelotti insisted.