Real Madrid will be aiming to make it successive wins in Spain's top flight when they continue their La Liga campaign against Valencia at Mestalla on Saturday night.
Los Blancos are currently top of the table, six points ahead of second-placed Girona, while Valencia occupy ninth position, six points behind sixth-placed Real Betis in the race for the European spots.
Match preview
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Valencia have not been in action since drawing 0-0 with Sevilla on February 17, as their clash with Granada, which was scheduled for last weekend, was postponed following a deadly fire in the city.
A three-day period of mourning was announced due to the tragedy which claimed the lives of several people, so Los Che will have had a two-week break by the time that they take to the field against Real Madrid.
Ruben Baraja's side have won 10, drawn six and lost nine of their 25 league matches this season to collect 36 points, which has left them ninth in the table, six points behind sixth-placed Real Betis.
Valencia finished 16th in Spain's top flight last season, which proved to be their worst final position since being relegated at the end of the 1985-86 campaign, but they are well on course to improve on that this term, and a late push for Europe cannot be ruled out.
Los Che have been solid on home soil this season, picking up 24 points from their 12 matches in front of their own fans, recording seven wins in the process, but they will be coming up against a Real Madrid side with the best away record in Spain's top flight this term, claiming 30 points from 13 matches.
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Real Madrid will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 victory over Sevilla, with Luka Modric netting the game's only goal in the 81st minute, securing a vital three points for the division leaders.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have been the best team in La Liga thus far this term, boasting a record of 20 wins, five draws and one defeat from 26 matches to collect 65 points, which has left them six points ahead of second-placed Girona and eight clear of Barcelona in third.
Los Blancos have comfortably the best defensive record in the league this season, only conceding 16 times, which is even more impressive considering that they have been without their number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois this season and have also been missing some key central defenders, with Eder Militao out since August and David Alaba missing since December, both due to ACL injuries.
Real Madrid are also chasing success in the Champions League this season, leading RB Leipzig 1-0 after the first leg of their last-16 affair, with the second leg due to take place at Bernabeu next week.
The capital outfit recorded a 5-1 victory over Valencia when the two teams locked horns in the reverse match earlier this season, but Valencia were 1-0 winners in their league contest at Mestalla last term.
Team News
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Valencia will be missing Thierry Correia due to a thigh problem, while Diego Lopez remains a doubt, but the home side are otherwise in strong shape heading into this contest.
Head coach Baraja is expected to keep faith with the majority of the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Sevilla last time out, but there could be a change out wide, with Javi Guerra potentially coming in for Sergi Canos.
Hugo Duro has been in strong scoring form for Los Che this season, finding the back of the net on 10 occasions in Spain's top flight, and he is again set to be partnered by Roman Yaremchuk in the front two.
As for Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham has won his battle to overcome an ankle injury in time to feature this weekend, with the England international set to return to the side after three games out.
Militao, Alaba and Courtois are still missing due to injury, but Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga are available again after serving suspensions against Sevilla, while Joselu is also back from an ankle issue.
Ancelotti could take the chance to rest Toni Kroos area of next week's Champions League clash against Leipzig, with Camavinga potentially coming into the midfield, while Bellingham is set to operate behind the front two of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo at Mestalla.
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Diakhaby, Mosquera, Gaya; Perez, Pepelu, Guillamon, Guerra; Duro, Yaremchuk
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius
We say: Valencia 1-2 Real Madrid
Valencia will certainly be the fresher of the two sides, and Los Che have won seven of their 12 home league matches this season, losing just twice. Real Madrid have been excellent on their travels in La Liga this term, though, and we are backing Ancelotti's side to navigate their way to an important three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
