体坛英语新闻：Real Madrid faces tough match against Valencia

MADRID, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid face what on paper at least looks as if it will be one of their toughest tests between now and then end of the season when they entertain Valencia in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday night.

Valencia are currently third in the BBVA Primera Liga table, although it should be pointed out that they are also 30 points behind the league leaders.

Unai Emery' s side will have recovered some confidence on Thursday night after a 4-0 win at home over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League. That win took Valencia into the semi-finals of the competition and they will now face fellow Spaniards, Atletico Madrid for a place in the final.

That win put an end to some worrying league form for Valencia, who have taken just one point from their last three games, to see sides such as Malaga close the gap on to just one point.

Emery' s side have struggled since midfielder Ever Banega suffered a bad ankle injury earlier in the year as he was run over by his own car while refuelling. Without Banega in the side, Valencia can lack creativity, but they will have striker Roberto Soldado in the side for the trip to Madrid in which they hope tiredness from Thursday's game won't be a factor.

Madrid should have no tiredness issues: Jose Mourinho' s side had a cruise into the semi-finals of the Champions League as a side with several changes to the starting 11 defeated APOEL FC 5-2 in the Bernabeu. Few sides can have had an easier passage into the last four of the Champions League as Madrid, who have yet to play a side from England, Spain, Germany or Italy.

Mourinho will welcome midfielder Sami Khedira back into the starting 11 after an injury problem, although Lassana Diarra is still out and Sergio Ramos is suspended.

Ramos will be replaced by youngster Rafael Varene, while Angel De Maria is in line for a return to the starting 11 after his hamstring problems.

Meanwhile Karim Benzema will also return to the attack after being rested in midweek and will partner Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues his particular quest to end the season as Spain' s top scorer.