Two clubs in the top half of the Spanish Liga table will do battle today in a league match between Real Madrid and Valencia. The first-division clash scheduled for 3 p.m. ET will be held at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid and can be live streamed here free.
Now that Real Madrid have finally advanced to the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since 2002, manager Carlo Ancelotti remains adamant that he is not preparing for the biggest match in the club's recent history. Their title hopes still remain very much intact (h/t to Inside Spanish Football). "Thinking about preparations for the Champions League now would be crazy. We're going to fight until the very last minute for La Liga," Ancelotti said.
"It's not going to be an easy game [against Valencia], but it's one we need to win," he added.
"It will be important for us to fight for La Liga because we still have a chance. It would be dangerous for us to lose the intensity we currently have and winning is the best way to do that."
Will Real Madrid keep their edge with a victory over Valencia in the Santiago Bernabéu? Tell us @SportsWN
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: With Real Madrid no longer tactically forced to sit back and counter with two blocks of four, Gareth Bale will be allowed to push harder up the pitch against Valencia this afternoon. The 24-year-old is finally coming of age in the Spanish capital, posting double digits in both goals (19) and assists (16) in domestic and European competition.
Real Madrid's Projected Lineup (4-3-3): Lopez; Marcelo, Varane, Pepe, Carvajal; Maria, Alonso, Illarramendi; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
Valencia's Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Gualta; Bernat, Mathieu, Costa, Pereira; Keita, Fuego; Fede, Parejo, Feghouli; Alcacer
Spanish League Table
| Rnk | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | +/- | Pts | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlético Madrid | 35 | 28 | 4 | 3 | 75 | 22 | 53 | 88 | |||
| 2 | FC Barcelona | 36 | 27 | 4 | 5 | 99 | 32 | 67 | 85 | |||
| 3 | Real Madrid | 34 | 26 | 4 | 4 | 98 | 32 | 66 | 82 | |||
| 4 | Athletic Club | 36 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 65 | 38 | 27 | 68 | |||
| 5 | Sevilla FC | 35 | 17 | 8 | 10 | 66 | 50 | 16 | 59 | |||
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 35 | 16 | 9 | 10 | 59 | 51 | 8 | 57 | |||
| 7 | Villarreal CF | 35 | 15 | 7 | 13 | 54 | 43 | 11 | 52 | |||
| 8 | Celta de Vigo | 36 | 13 | 7 | 16 | 46 | 52 | -6 | 46 | |||
| 9 | Valencia CF | 35 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 47 | 48 | -1 | 45 | |||
| 10 | Rayo Vallecano | 36 | 13 | 4 | 19 | 45 | 74 | -29 | 43 | |||
| 11 | Levante UD | 35 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 31 | 42 | -11 | 42 | |||
| 12 | RCD Espanyol | 36 | 11 | 8 | 17 | 39 | 47 | -8 | 41 | |||
| 13 | Málaga CF | 36 | 11 | 8 | 17 | 37 | 45 | -8 | 41 | |||
| 14 | Elche CF | 36 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 29 | 47 | -18 | 39 | |||
| 15 | Granada CF | 35 | 11 | 4 | 20 | 30 | 53 | -23 | 37 | |||
| 16 | UD Almería | 36 | 10 | 6 | 20 | 41 | 71 | -30 | 36 | |||
| 17 | Getafe CF | 36 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 32 | 53 | -21 | 36 | |||
| 18 | Osasuna | 36 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 29 | 60 | -31 | 35 | |||
| 19 | Real Valladolid | 35 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 34 | 54 | -20 | 35 | |||
| 20 | Real Betis | 36 | 5 | 7 | 24 | 31 | 73 | -42 | 22 |
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