Preview: Valencia vs. Real Madrid

Real Madrid will be looking for their 13th win in a row in La Liga when they travel to Valencia for their first league match since the winter break.

Carlo Ancelotti's side actually suffered their first loss in all competitions since September over the festive period, slipping to a 4-2 defeat in a mid-season friendly against AC Milan in Dubai.

Marcelo will need a late fitness test to determine whether or not he can play on Sunday, having picked up a thigh muscle problem in the FIFA Club World Cup last month, while Sergio Ramos is also a doubt.

The European champions have a Copa del Rey match against local rivals Atletico Madrid just three days later, so Ancelotti may be forced to rest the duo if there is any doubt over their fitness to ensure that they are ready for that fixture.

Luka Modric remains sidelined with a thigh problem, which is likely to keep him out until February, but James Rodriguez, who missed the last league match with a calf issue, should be back after coming through the Club World Cup final unscathed.

Visiting the Mestalla has proved tricky for teams in La Liga this season, with only Barcelona coming away with a win at Valencia so far this campaign.

As a result, Nuno Espirito Santo's side are fourth in the table, eight points behind the league leaders, who visit this weekend.

Valencia's last outing resulted in a 1-0 win over Eibar before Christmas, with Paco Alcacer scoring the only goal to give the side back-to-back wins in the league.

Sofiane Feghouli will be featuring for the final time before he joins up with Algeria's national side for the Africa Cup of Nations, but the home side will be without Javi Fuego after he picked up his fifth booking of the season in their last match, which could pave the way for new signing Enzo Perez to make his debut.

Real edged to a 3-2 victory in their match at Valencia last season, but their last meeting, at the Bernabeu in May, ended in a draw.

Valencia:

Form in La Liga: DLLDWW Form in all competitions: LWDWDW

Possible starting lineup: Alves, Mustafi, Orban, Otamendi, Feghouli, Parejo, Piatta, Perez, De Paul, Negredo, Alcacer

Real Madrid:

Form in La Liga: WWWWWW Form in all competitions: WWWWWL

Possible starting lineup: Casillas, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Carvajal, Kroos, Rodriguez, Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale

Sports Mole says: 1-2