Copa del Rey Preview: Valencia-Real Madrid

These two don't like each other very much. There was a time when Real Madrid may have been welcomed to the Mestalla, but now that they are direct competitors, there is no quarter given.

Valencia, along with Deportivo, have changed the Real Madrid-Barcelona balance of power in La Liga, perhaps unalterably.

Now when Real visit the Mestella they are greeted with boos, whistles and jeers. For the Ches faithful, it is they who stand between their side and a second Liga title in three seasons.

Earlier in the campaign, Real were well and truly outclassed at the Mestella. 2-0 was the score, but in all honesty it could have been more.

Carlos Queiroz is a man with problems. The team is not functioning at anywhere near the level it was a month or so ago, and the players themselves know things aren't right.

Centre-back Francisco Pavon appears to be declining as a player, and now looks a real liability. Raul Bravo –who is actually a right-back- has performed with so much more assurance this season than his partner who lacks pace, challenges for balls he has no chance of winning, and generally looks ill at ease when put under pressure.

This promises to be a fascinating tussle between La Liga's top two.

LATEST TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid: Ivan Helguera replaces Pavon in the centre of defence. Guti will partner David Beckham in the centre of midfield, while Santi Solari steps in for the injured Zinedine Zidane. Cesar is set to start in goal.

Valencia: Pablo Aimar returns to the team after missing the 0-0 bore draw with Valladolid through suspension. Andrés Palop will play in goal. Coach Rafa Benitez has his best possible 11 available for this clash.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Real Madrid: César, Salgado, Roberto Carlos, Helguera, Raúl Bravo, Beckham, Guti, Solari, Raúl, Figo, Ronaldo.

Valencia: Palop, Curro Torres, Ayala, Marchena, Carboni, Rufete, Albelda, Baraja, Vicente, Aimar, Mista.