Real Madrid will be looking to make it three La Liga victories in a row when they travel to Real Valladolid on Sunday night.

Zinedine Zidane's side are currently second in Spain's top flight, only behind champions Barcelona on goal difference. Valladolid, meanwhile, occupy 15th spot in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

Valladolid were promoted back to La Liga through the Segunda Division playoffs in 2017-18 and finished 16th in Spain's top flight last season. The aim this term will have been to consolidate their spot at this level, and Sergio Gonzalez's side have showed enough thus far to suggest that they can avoid the drop.

They have only actually won four of their 20 league matches this season, but 10 draws means that they are on 22 points, six points clear of the relegation zone. Just six league defeats at this stage is impressive, particularly when considering that Sevilla in fourth have already lost five times.

The White and Violets have actually drawn five of their last six La Liga fixtures, including a 0-0 at Osasuna last weekend; they have been in action since that clash, though, suffering a 2-1 loss to Tenerife in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.

The fact that they have not won in the league since the start of November is a concern, but Gonzalez's team held Madrid to a 1-1 draw when they travelled to the capital earlier this season.

Madrid, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 victory over Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. It was not a vintage performance from the capital giants, but they managed to secure the win to progress into the last-16 stage of the competition.

Zidane's side, who won the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month by beating Atletico Madrid on penalties, were also victorious in their last La Liga clash on January 18 as they recorded a 2-1 success over Sevilla.

Madrid might have drawn three of their last five in the league, but the 33-time La Liga champions have not been beaten in Spain's top flight since the middle of October.

As it stands, they are level on points with Barcelona at the top of the table, although the reigning champions will have the chance to stretch that lead to three points when they travel to Valencia on Saturday afternoon.

Los Blancos have not actually won La Liga since 2017 but are very much in the hunt for the crown this term and will fancy their chances of picking up another positive result this weekend.

Real Valladolid La Liga form: DDLDDD
Real Valladolid form (all competitions): WDDWDL

Real Madrid La Liga form: WDDDWW
Real Madrid form (all competitions): DWWWWW

Team News

Valladolid are unlikely to be without the services of forward Stiven Plaza due to a hamstring problem, but the home side are otherwise in good shape in terms of injuries.

Sandro Ramirez and Oscar Plano are both pushing for spots in the XI having been involved off the bench away to Osasuna last weekend.

However, Sergi Guardiola and Enes Unal have scored seven La Liga goals between them this season and should feature as the front two once again.

As for Madrid, Dani Carvajal will miss out through suspension, while Gareth Bale is not expected to be involved having picked up an ankle injury on Wednesday night.

Sergio Ramos is also unlikely to be risked ahead of the clash with Atletico Madrid next weekend, meaning that Eder Militao should again start in central defence.

Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo Goes could be selected alongside Karim Benzema in the final third, while Federico Valverde is expected to start in midfield ahead of Luka Modric.

Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio, though, remain on the sidelines for the visitors.

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Salisu, Olivas, Fernandez; Nacho, Emeterio, Alcarez, Michel, Moyano; Unal, Guardiola

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Varane, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vazquez

We say: Real Valladolid 0-2 Real Madrid

Valladolid's record this season in terms of defeats is strong when considering their spot in the table, but it is difficult to back the hosts with any real confidence this weekend. Madrid are playing some good football at the moment and should have enough to pick up another victory on Sunday night.