Real Madrid will begin the process of putting their nightmare UEFA Champions League exit behind them on Sunday, when they travel to face Real Valladolid in La Liga.

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Following back-to-back losses to Barcelona in separate competitions and the emphatic end of their European dominance at the hands of Ajax on Tuesday, Los Blancos are almost certain to end the 2018–19 season without silverware. They sit third in the table, 12 points off leaders Barcelona.

Their opponents will be seeking to capitalise on what has been a rotten run for Madrid. Valladolid are still big underdogs for this encounter, and any point would be valuable given they are just three points above the relegation zone.

Real Madrid welcome Real Valladolid on Wednesday in La Liga action with Los Blancos looking to build off of a win against Real Betis last time out. Zinedine Zidane’s team is 1–1–0 to start the season with Sergio Ramos’ 82nd-minute penalty kick giving them the win in their last match, while Real Valladolid have yet to win this season, scoring two goals in three games, drawing two and losing one.

Real Madrid: Los Blancos benefited again from a late penalty kick, and across 180 minutes this season, they have just one goal during the run of play. But like their opponent on Wednesday, they’ve created the chances. With a short preseason, the sharpness isn’t quite there yet, but this is a game where we could see the attack explode and get back on track.

Real Valladolid: This is a team that has some quality but not a lot of high expectations from the outside. But the truth is, despite not winning a game yet this season, they show some creativity but just lack finishing. Against a tough defense like Real, they are going to have to be a bit clinical to have a chance to steal a point. But expect them to be defensive first and am to hit on the counter.

Although Los Blancos have been hit-and-miss domestically in recent years, since 2013, they have been dependable in the Champions League. It’s why it was such a surprise to see them crumble when Ajax came to town on Tuesday.

Not only were they beaten 4–1 on the night, seeing the Dutch side through 5–3 on aggregate, but Ajax played with an ingenuity and vibrancy that’s been scarce from Los Blancos for long spells of this season.

In addition, Madrid were without suspended captain Sergio Ramos and also didn’t have the goals of Cristiano Ronaldo to rely on to get them out of trouble:

In the buildup to the Valladolid game, there has been a lot of talk about what will come next for Los Blancos. Some reports suggest this may be the final time manager Santiago Solari takes charge of the team.

According to Goal, Julen Lopetegui’s successor will likely get his marching orders after the match at Estadio Jose Zorrilla on Sunday. Former Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is said to be in the frame to take over.

Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague also told BBC Radio 5 Live that Solari may get the ax before Sunday is over:

While there will be a lot of long-term thinking in the corridors of power at the Santiago Bernabeu, in the short term, those associated with the club will want to see a professional performance from their players on Sunday to steady the ship.

Valladolid are in rotten form too, losing four of their past five. Per The Spanish Football Podcast, the situation is tight at the bottom of the table:

They have struggled at home this term as well, picking up just two wins from their 14 league matches in front of their own fans. If Sergio’s team is to keep comfortably clear of a relegation scrap, that record must improve before the end of the season.

It’s likely to be a big atmosphere in Valladolid, and it may take an under-pressure Madrid side some time to settle. At the end of a turbulent spell, Los Blancos will do just enough.