DID YOU KNOW?
* Valencia have turned hot in front of goal in recent weeks, bagging at least three goals in their last three league matches
* It’s been nearly two decades since the six-time Spanish champions enjoyed such a run of four games – 1992 was the last time they posted such a feat
* The Mestalla outfit may be doing well generally in front of goal, but they’ve been shut out in three of their last four games
* Unai Emery’s side are chasing a record points tally for themselves; never before have they earned more than 77 in a season, but they’re only 14 points short of that figure this term with six games still remaining
* Real Madrid have an excellent recent record when travelling to the Mestalla, having lost only one of their last six outings at the venue
* Moreover, they’ve won all of their last three encounters against Valencia
* Even more encouragingly for Jose Mourinho’s men, they’ve played four of their last six league matches immediately after playing Barcelona, so they certainly don’t show many signs of a hangover
* Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain should be a player to watch in the visiting side as he has scored four times in his last four encounters against the east coast outfit
* Though the Bernabeu side have a remarkable record this term, they’ve yet to win four away games in succession in the league, though this match represents a chance to do just that
LAST MEETING
December 4, 2010: Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia
Coming off the back of a Clasico whacking by Barcelona, there were seriously questions asked of Jose Mourinho’s side prior to their meeting with Valencia at the Bernabeu. With typical efficiency, the home side saw off their guests thanks to a brace of goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, though they only pulled away in the final 20 minutes, once David Albelda had been dismissed.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Valencia: Guaita; Miguel, Stankevicius, Topal, R. Costa, Mathieu; Pablo, Banega, T. Costa, Mata; Soldado
Real Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Carvalho, Marcelo; X. Alonso, Pepe; Ozil, Kaka, Ronaldo; Benzema
Prediction
With the league gone, Jose Mourinho may take this chance to rest some players, which could open the door for the hosts a little. Real Madrid have built up some impressive momentum over the course of the last week, and with a plethora of talented players they should be capable of picking up all three points, particularly when their health historical record at the Mestalla is taken into account.
Valencia 0-1 Real Madrid 
