Valencia's mettle will face a stern test when Real Madrid's goalscoring machine rolls into the Mestalla Stadium for the standout match of the weekend's fifth round of the Primera Division.
Valencia's formidable defense was last breached in the 24th minute of the opening league match of the season when Valladolid midfielder Francisco Sousa netted in the teams' 1-1 draw on Aug. 30.
Meanwhile, Madrid has crashed in 13 league goals -- with Raul Gonzalez and Ronaldo heading the list with three goals apiece -- and four more in the Champions League.
The Brazilian ace has a fruitful record against Valencia, with seven goals in his four previous appearances.
Last season, Ronaldo struck both goals in the 2-1 win at Valencia in the 35th round, a result which proved crucial to Madrid's title success.
Valencia's Argentine forward Pablo Aimar acknowledged his side may be hard pressed.
"Like any league match, it's for three points. However, it's against a team which makes it very difficult for you to get the three points, the team that is the best equipped to win the league," Aimar told the leading sports daily Marca this week.
Valencia will lack one of the bulwarks of its defense, Argentine Mauricio Pellegrino, who is sidelined for a month after dislocating his right shoulder in last weekend's win over Atletico de Madrid.
However, it hopes to reinforce its back line by including Argentine international defender Roberto Ayala for the first time this season after he agreed a new contract with Valencia Thursday.
Madrid and Valencia have 10 points, two less than league leader Deportivo de La Coruna, the only team in the division still with a 100 percent record.
Today, Deportivo visits Osasuna, which is in a surprise sixth place after only losing once this season.
Fourth-place Real Sociedad, with eight points, is set to face hostile receptions in its next two matches.
Today, it visits its Basque archrival, No. 12 Athletic de Bilbao, and three days later it plays Galatasaray at the Ataturk Olympia Stadium in the Champions League.
Fifth-place FC Barcelona, undefeated and also with eight points, visits 17th-place Atletico de Madrid tomorrow.
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