La Liga: Valencia v Real Madrid preview

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insists next week's mouth-watering cup derby against Atletico Madrid will not influence his thinking when he names his side to face "dangerous" Valencia on Sunday.

Holders Real play arch-rivals Atletico in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 tie on Wednesday - a match which could see Fernando Torres make his first Rojiblancos appearance since rejoining the club on loan from AC Milan.

However, before that match Real face a testing Primera Division trip to Valencia where the European champions will look to make it 23 competitive wins on the trot.

And Ancelotti is not planning to reserve any of his star players for the derby if they are fit enough to play at the Mestalla.

He said at Saturday's press conference: "We don't have priorities either in the league or in the cup. First it's tomorrow's match and we will play with the best team possible. Those in good condition are going to play and we won't risk anybody.

"It's a very important game because we would like to continue with the run we're having and continue at the top of the table."

With the possibility of playing 10 games in 32 days though, Ancelotti knows he will have to use his squad wisely in the coming weeks.

The Italian added: "I think rotations are essential, because by doing that we avoid injuries and we will have a more motivated squad.

"I can't think that the same players are going to play throughout this stretch of the season. Everyone will play."

Madrid start the new year with a one-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga as well as having a game in hand on their rivals, but Ancelotti is well are of the threat fourth-placed Valencia could pose his side.

Los Che have only lose once at home this season - going down to a 90th-minute goal against Barcelona - and Ancelotti said: "Valencia have done very well recently. They've changed their style from last year, and they are stronger and more dangerous. It's a very difficult game and it would be very good to win it."

While Madrid may be on a stunning run since suffering their last competitive defeat in mid-September, they were beaten 4-2 by AC Milan in a friendly on Tuesday.

That result will have given hope to Valencia, and their coach Nuno has pledged to take the game to Madrid on Sunday in a bid to inflict another defeat on the league leaders.

However, he also believes his side will be coming up against the greatest player ever in the shape of "perfect machine" Cristiano Ronaldo.

"We believe that there is only one way to win and that is to try and attack," he said.

"Real Madrid have plenty of good things about them. They have great players, the best player ever, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the perfect machine.

"We need to think about ourselves. We need to go for goal and we have a very important thing with us, which is the Mestalla. For us they help us and give us that extra push in home games.

"We are not afraid. That word does not exist in football. We think that we can beat any opponent. We also have a strong dynamic in our home matches."

Watch Valencia v Real Madrid live on Sky Sports 5 HD from 3.55pm on Sunday.