• Real Madrid has the opportunity to bolster their position.
• Ancelotti’s team can bolster their position in second place in La Liga with win.
• Gattuso left Valencia on Monday “by mutual consent” after poor run of form.

Real Madrid has the opportunity to bolster their position in second place in La Liga on Thursday night by inflicting harm on Valencia, who is playing without a manager.

Valencia will be led temporarily by club veteran “Voro” Gonzalez at the Santiago Bernabeu after Gennaro Gattuso departed the club on Monday “by mutual consent” due to a run of poor performances that left them only one point above the relegation zone.

The La Liga match scheduled for Thursday, which is a part of the 17th round of games, was postponed earlier this month when the two teams faced off in Saudi Arabia for the semifinal of the Spanish Supercup.

Valencia might have some hope of winning that match because they twice overcame behind to tie games 2-2 in Saudi Arabia before losing on penalties to Madrid.

After being held to a 0-0 draw by Real Sociedad, who are only three points behind them in La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti’s team travels to Valencia. A victory would improve their standing before a busy few months that include the World Club Cup, the Copa del Rey semifinal match against FC Barcelona, and the Champions League’s return, in addition to their league games.

Due to injuries, Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vazquez are not available for Ancelotti. Mendy’s position will be filled by either Nacho Fernandez or David Alaba.

Vinicius Jr., a winger, will make his 200th appearance for the team on Thursday, and he will be going for his 50th goal. The offence will be supported by Karim Benzema, Rodrygo, or Fede Valverde, with Aurelien Tchouameni perhaps making a comeback in midfield.

Real Madrid might be eight points behind FC Barcelona when they play Betis on Wednesday night, but if Barca slips up, a win would allow them to cut the deficit to two or three points when they kick off on Thursday.

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