Real Madrid vs Real Valladolid

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu sets the stage for Real Madrid’s 2024/25 La Liga home opener against newcomers Real Valladolid.

Losing first-choice left-back Ferland Mendy to suspension added insult to injury as star-studded Real Madrid commenced their La Liga title defense with a dismal 1-1 draw at Mallorca. However, Los Blancos are in pole position to make amends for that disappointment, as they’ve won their last four opening home league games of the top-flight season. Interestingly, this will be Madrid’s first La Liga game at the Bernabeu in August since a 1-1 draw against Real Valladolid of all teams in 2019. No such upset should occur this weekend, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side heading into proceedings unbeaten across their last 28 outings (W19, D9). Adding to this sentiment, the reigning La Liga holders have won all five league H2Hs against Valladolid since the abovementioned stalemate by a combined score of 11-0.

On the other hand, Real Valladolid marked their La Liga return with a morale-boosting 1-0 home win against fellow promoted rivals Espanyol earlier this week. Last season’s La Liga 2 runners-up start this round above their hosts in the standings and may feel it’s time to end a 16-year wait for a top-flight win against Real Madrid. Valladolid’s last H2H triumph in La Liga dates back to 2008, and they’ve since suffered 13 defeats in 15 league encounters against the record-time Spanish champions (D2). As if that’s not discouraging enough, Los Pucelanos’ last La Liga victory at the Bernabeu came in 2000 (D3, L11 since). It’s also worth noting they’ve failed to win their opening away league fixture since 2019/20 (D2, L2).