Real's lucky stadium

Mestalla has become a lucky star of a stadium for Mourinho's Real Madrid. There is no doubt that since the Portuguese manager took over at the Real Madrid helm, the team's visits to Valencia have come up with the goods. It has won its three Liga matches there over recent seasons.

There is another fact lurking behind this game, however. Buried deeper if that is possible, and with the balance tipped further against the Valencian side. A statistic to evoke despair. Valencia has now clocked up nine games in a row without getting the better of Real Madrid.

This is Valencia's worst run in its 94-year history. It has never gone so long without beating Los Blancos. Its worst records have reached the eight-game mark on several occasions but it has never gone so far down the road…never as far as this.

The statistics are the stuff of nightmares given that, of those nine games between the two teams, the result has been seven wins and two draws for Real Madrid.

The last time Valencia tasted victory against Real Madrid was a date long past. Specifically in May of 2009. It was Unai Emery's first year on the squad's bench and the feat has not been repeated since. Three and a half years leading up to this passion-fuelled clash, having been hit by one disappointment after another… including crushing defeats.