Valencia vs Real Madrid Match Preview
Real Madrid visits the Mestalla for a second consecutive time this week, still drunk on the honeys of success Jose Mourinho's Merengues have enjoyed upon defeating Barcelona at the Copa del Rey final last Wednesday.
Booked at the Liga Clasico last Saturday, defender Alvaro Arbeloa misses the game. His replacement will most likely be former Valencia's Raul Albiol, who was ejected as he challenged David Villa inside the box last Saturday.
Let's not forget Madrid must lock horns with Barcelona again next Tuesday, and so it's expected Jose Mourinho will introduce a few modifications on his scheme to stop his players from reaching the next Clasico exhausted. Few players can withstand 210 minutes of football at the Mestalla in three days without suffering the consequences.
"Real Madrid is a little ahead of us, it won't be easy. Our goal is securing the third place, but the closer we can get from the top, the better" said Valencia's defender Marius Stankevicius. "We're ambitious, this game is like the one against Villarreal, and we must be strong and courageous to win" added.
Having scored 12 goals in the last three Liga games, Valencia stands safe at the 3rd place, with 63 points. Real Madrid has 77 points, while Barcelona jealously guard the top with 85 points.
A vital clash between two of the best Spanish squads of the season, can Valencia defeat Real Madrid, the rising Spanish Champion?