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Real Madrid head into the weekend with a five-point lead at the top of La Liga following their superb 2-1 El Clasico win over Barcelona.
Xabi Alonso emerged victorious from his first taste of facing Barcelona as Real Madrid boss – after Carlo Ancelotti lost all four meetings last season – as early goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham did the damage in the Spanish capital.
Los Blancos have still only lost once in 2025/26 under Alonso’s leadership – away at city rivals Atletico Madrid – and they will be full of confidence against Carlos Corberan’s visitors.
This game kickstarts a crucial 10 days for Alonso ahead of the November international break as his team head to Liverpool in Champions League action on November 4 before facing neighbours Rayo Vallecano five days later.
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Real Madrid lineup vs. Valencia: Starting XI
Courtois (GK)
Trent, Huijsen, Militao, Carreras
Valverde, Camavinga
Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius
Mbappe
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Real Madrid team news
Alonso’s biggest issues remain in defence with centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba still sidelined.
Club captain Dani Carvajal now faces an extended period out of action due to a knee problem and Alonso could throw Trent Alexander-Arnold straight into his starting XI.
Federico Valverde has covered superbly at right-back, and Alonso opted to keep Trent on the bench against Barcelona, as he looks to ease him back after six weeks out with a hamstring injury.
However, with the England international keen to face Liverpool next week, Alonso needs to test him in this game as Valverde moves back into midfield.
Despite the quick turnaround before heading to Anfield, Alonso cannot afford to drop his level in La Liga with key trio Bellingham, Mbappe and Vinicius Junior all set to start.
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Real Madrid injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Real Madrid, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
David Alaba
- Injury: Calf strain (right leg)
- Expected return date: November 1, 2025
Alaba sustained a calf problem in the win at Getafe and sat out on El Clasico, having also missed the win over Juventus. but he may only be fit enough for the bench against Valencia.
Dani Carvajal
- Injury: Knee surgery
- Expected return date: December, 2025
Spain star Carvajal missed the majority of last season due to a horrific ACL tear and the club confirmed he needs surgery on separate knee problem which flared up against Barcelona. He could miss the remainder of 2025 as part of his recovery.
Ferland Mendy
- Injury: Quadriceps (right leg)
- Expected return date: November 2025
Mendy has not played since last season’s Copa del Rey final after needing surgery on a thigh injury. He returned to team training in the build-up to El Clasico, and a targeted return of early November looks to be on track.
Antonio Rudiger
- Injury: Thigh muscle tear (left leg)
- Expected return date: December 12, 2025
Rudiger tore a thigh muscle in September and was given an estimated recovery period of three months. He may be ready to return for the visit of Manchester City on December 10, if his return to training goes well.
Real Madrid vs. Valencia match details
- Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
- Kickoff time: 9 p.m. local / 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 7 a.m. AEDT (Nov. 2)
- Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid (Spain)
- Competition: La Liga matchweek 11
- Referee: TBA
- VAR: TBA
