5 classic encounters between Real Madrid and Valencia

Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are the modern challengers to the El Clasico pair, but Valencia have managed to upset the established order many times, most effectively when they won the title in 2002 and 2004.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at some of the most memorable duels between Real and Valencia ahead of Saturday's league clash in Madrid.

Real Madrid 3 Valencia 0 - May 24, 2000

A Valencia team inspired by the likes of Spain star Gaizka Mendieta had stunned Europe to reach the Champions League final, but they would suffer a gruelling evening at the Stade de France.

In the first European Cup final to be contested by two clubs from the same nation, Real dominated their compatriots with a Fernando Morientes header, Steve McManaman's volley and a late Raul third sending Los Che packing.

Valencia 1 Real Madrid 0 - August 25, 2001

Valencia fired an early warning to Real, and to the league, that they meant business by beating the defending champions 1-0 on the first day of the season.

Portuguese star Luis Figo was sent off at the Mestalla, late in a game which had seen Los Blancos struggling to respond to Miguel Angulo's early opener.

Valencia 1 Real Madrid 2 - May 24, 2003

In the previous May, Valencia had managed to win the league for the first time since 1971 but come the end of the next campaign they had fallen from grace.

Real had battled Real Sociedad all season long to reclaim the crown and a brace from Ronaldo at the Mestalla, with a reply in between by Fabiano Aurelio, confirmed the capital-city club as the frontrunners. They went on to clinch a 29th championship but boss Vicente del Bosque was surprisingly sacked.

Valencia 3 Real Madrid 6 - April 23, 2011

This nine-goal thriller had no effect on the ultimate destination of the title, which went to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, but it was one of the games of the season.

Gonzalo Higuain was never better in the Real shirt as the Argentinian hitman plundered a hat-trick in Valencia, after Karim Benzema had broken the deadlock. Los Blancos were grateful for Kaka's double as Los Che launched a second-half comeback which saw Roberto Soldado, Jonas and Jordi Alba notch.

Valencia 2 Real Madrid 1 - February 22, 2017

Real might live to regret this defeat at the Mestalla, as it denied them the chance to pull clear of improving Barca, who are now level with them at the top.

Simone Zaza had recently moved to Spain following a low-key spell with West Ham and he hit the ground running with an early opener, and Fabian Orellana had Voro's men two goals to the good before 10 minutes were up. Cristiano Ronaldo hit back but it was not enough to protect a six-game unbeaten run.