Liga Preview: Real Madrid-Valencia

By far the most significant match of the season at the Bernabeu, as the irresistible force play host to the immovable object.

With the 3-0 win over Sevilla on Thursday, Vicente Del Bosque's side leap-froged the Ches into second place, and are now just five points behind leaders Real Sociedad.

Real were rarely troubled by Sevilla, and secured the points thanks to goals from Raul, Flavio and Zinedine Zidane. In truth it was always a game they were going to win and they did, comfortably.

For a real test of their Championship credentials look no further than this clash. The Merengues often dominate games in midfield, but it's certain that Claude Makelele and Flavio will have things by no means their own way against the uncompromising David Albelda and Ruben Baraja. The pair, plus Pablo Aimar, have probably been the Ches' most outstanding players this season.

There's little doubt that Rafa Benitez' game-plan will be to sit deep, absorb the pressure, and hit Real quickly on the break. After all, a point would be more than welcome. If ever there was a side equipped to shut out a Real side bang in form, this was it. The back four of Amedeo Carboni, Roberto Ayala, Mauricio Pellegrino and Curro Torres are the best in the business, and have kept clean sheets at such hot-spots as Son Moix, Anfield and Highbury this season. The biggest tests are certainly to come, however, as Valencia have yet to visit Barcelona, Deportivo, Real Sociedad or Celta Vigo.