Real Madrid vs. Valencia Predicted Starting XI for Matchday 20 of LaLiga

LW Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior is back after being out with COVID-19, and his return will be a very welcome sight for Madridistas. Los Blancos were horrible last weekend without Getafe. Time after time this season, Vini has proven to be the difference, whether it was with his last-gasp goal and assist at the Mestalla earlier this season or with his brilliant individual winner against Sevilla. 

Madrid fans can expect another big night from Vinicius, who will be going up against a game competitor in the young Thierry Correia. Though the Valencia right back is promising, this is a matchup Vini should take advantage of.

CF Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema has been tremendous this season with 15 goals, 7 assists, and nearly 2 key passes per game for the Merengue club. But he was anything but excellent last weekend at Getafe, giving the ball away and making comically poor passes. Benzema’s body language, focus, movement, and technical execution were surprisingly off.

But Benz usually comes up big against Valencia, such as in the win at the Mestalla. The Frenchman, like Kroos, will be out to bounce back, and no Madridista would bet against him finding the back of the net.

RW Marco Asensio

Whereas the other spots in the XI are pretty much set, this is the real question. Eden Hazard could start after some encouraging signs, but Marco Asensio offers more scoring upside with the same consistency concerns. Gareth Bale is another possibility, but Carlo Ancelotti may choose to ease him in off the bench if this does indeed end up being his first game back. Nobody should have high hopes for Asensio, but as we saw against Alcoyano, he is capable of making the difference when he gets the chance to shoot. That is what he is here for.