Sure Prediction For Today, Wednesday 8th January 2020

This season’s somewhat controversial Supercopa de Espana kicks-off in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday evening, as Valencia and Real Madrid lock horns just three weeks after their closely-fought 1-1 draw in La Liga at Mestalla.

The teams meet in this particular competition for the first time since 2008, when Real triumphed via a thrilling 6-5 aggregate win – one of 10 Supercopas lifted by Los Blancos in their history, compared to Valencia’s sole success in 1999.

Of course, the sides must negotiate two matches if they are to grab the trophy this time around thanks to the new four-team format, with the winner set to face either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in Sunday’s final at the same venue.

Real are odds on to prevail, but they had to rely on a stoppage-time strike from Karim Benzema to share the spoils in the teams’ aforementioned clash before Christmas. Los Che, who qualified for the tournament thanks to their Copa Del Rey triumph last term, are highly likely to make life difficult for Zinedine Zidane’s side once again.

Valencia are now unbeaten in seven following their workmanlike 1-0 win at home to Eibar at the weekend; Maxi Gomez’s first-half goal proving enough to secure the points and haul Los Che up to 6th in the table, where they sit just four points behind the Champions League places.

Albert Celades’ charges are really coming into their own now after also booking their spot in the Last 16 of the Champions League, and you can guarantee they will be gunning for more silverware this week to bolster their tremendous Copa Del Rey win against Barcelona last season.

It would be folly to write Los Che out of this based on current form, although Real’s recent results have been even more impressive. Los Blancos come into this game unbeaten in 14 across all competitions and they drew level with Barcelona at the top of Liga on Matchday 19 after superbly swatting in-form Getafe aside 0-3 at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Unsurprisingly, Zidane’s side are challenging Barca for outright Supercopa favouritism on the back of that result and a repeat performance here will make them extremely difficult to beat.

Last month’s 1-1 draw at Mestalla continued a strong trend of close games between the pair in recent years, with six of the last 14 meetings ending level. Both teams have scored in all but one of those matches and we fancy the same outcome here, despite the fact Real Madrid have kept clean sheets in each of their last three outings.

Valencia has netted in each of their last 16 games in all competitions, with both teams scoring in 13 of those, so we think this is the most solid wager for Wednesday’s tie.

Los Che are unlikely to give too much away, though, after conceding just twice in their last four games, so we’re forecasting another 1-1 draw. The sides are likely to play with a fair degree of caution as they seek to make Sunday’s final and we envisage proceedings fizzling out a little after both hit the net. Our prediction is an away win or a draw for Real Madrid.