Valencia v Real Madrid: La Liga – live! | Football

‘Mutability is our tragedy, but it’s also our hope’

Espanyol, who were beaten by Thomas Lemar’s 99th-minute goal last weekend, have just scored a 97th-minute equaliser away to Real Betis. A pulsating match finished Betis 2-2 Espanyol.

Probable formations

Valencia (4-4-2) Mamardashvili; Correia, Gabriel, Alderete, Foulquier; Soler, Wass, Hugo Guillamon, Hugo Duro; Guedes, Gomez.
Substitutes: Cillessen, Diakhaby, Lato, Yunus, Racic, Jason, Koindredi, Helder Costa, Manu Vallejo, Marcos Andre, Jesus Vazquez.

Real Madrid (4-3-3) Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Nacho; Valverde, Casemiro, Modric; Hazard, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Substitutes: Lunin, Toni Fuidias, Vallejo, Asensio, Jovic, Lucas Vazquez, Rodrygo, Isco, Camavinga, Blanco, Miguel.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Valencia v Real Madrid at the Mestalla. When the final whistle is blown in a few hours’ time, one of these teams will be top of the fledgling La Liga table. Both are a point behind the leaders and champions Atletico Madrid with a superior goal difference.

Real are above Valencia on goals scored, having biffed 13 in four league games since the return of Carlo Ancelotti. Not that Valencia have been especially shy. They have made a fine start under Jose Bordalas, with Carlos Soler and Goncalo Guedes in outstanding form, and came from behind to thump Osasuna 4-1 last weekend.

The fixture list has been pretty kind, mind you, so it’s too early to hail Valencia as title challengers or even Champions League contenders. Although they are under new management, this is largely the same squad that finished 13th last season. The next three games – Madrid, Sevilla and Bilbao – will give us a better idea of what they might achieve this season.

Kick off 9pm in Valencia, 8pm in London.