Both sides have made bright starts to the league, increasing optimism among fans that they will finally win silverware this season.

Real's league title in 2003 was its last major trophy, while Atletico's drought stretches back to 1996 when it won the league and Copa del Rey.

Under new coaches Fabio Capello and Javier Aguirre and boasting an array of new signings, the rivals have each claimed three wins from their opening four league games. Unbeaten Real is second, while Atletico is fifth.

Atletico captain Fernando Torres said recent form won't matter Sunday _ as displayed in the teams' previous meeting when Real won 2-1.

``We'd won six straight games and Madrid was off form and couldn't win. It was all in our favour _ but it turned out to be a different story,'' Torres told sports daily Marca.

That result in March extended Real's unbeaten run against its rival to eight matches since Atletico was promoted in 2002.

This season, Real has only conceded one league goal, proving that the team is starting to bear Capello's trademark of industrious, organized soccer.

``Soccer is about defending and Capello is one of the best in the world in terms of titles. Besides, he has an incredible squad. It's going to tough for us to score,'' Atletico goalkeeper Leo Franco said this week.

Capello is likely to omit David Beckham from the starting lineup for the fourth straight match and retain the team which thrashed Dynamo Kiev 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Captain Raul Gonzalez, who scored twice against the Ukrainians for his first Real goals since last Oct. 26, may keep his place to the detriment of Antonio Cassano.

Also, Capello will now have to consider Ronaldo, who appeared as a substitute on Tuesday for his first appearance since Brazil's 1-0 loss to France in the World Cup quarter-finals in July.

Playing in his first Madrid derby will be Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has scored three times in the league and twice in the Champions League since his move from Manchester United.

Defending champion FC Barcelona has 10 points and heads the standings on goal difference from Real and Valencia. Sevilla and Atletico have nine.

Barcelona begins what could be a three-month period without Samuel Eto'o, when it visits to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. The Cameroon striker tore the meniscus in his right knee in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Werder Bremen on Wednesday.

But No. 18 Bilbao is in greater disarray following the resignation of president Fernando Lamikiz the same day.

Lamikiz, who had been heavily criticized by board members and supporters, was replaced by Ana Urkijo, who is the Basque club's first woman president in its 108-year history.

Bilbao just escaped the first relegation in its history last season and has managed just two draws from its opening games.

Buoyant Valencia entertains No. 13 Gimnastic Tarragona, which has won only one game since it returned to the first division after a 56-year absence.

Coach Quique Sanchez Flores' team maintained its unbeaten start to the season by drawing 1-1 at Barcelona last Sunday and beat AS Roma 2-1 to go top of Champions League Group D three days later.

Valencia will continue to lack three injured Spain internationals _ central defender Carlos Marchena, left back Asier del Horno and midfielder Ruben Baraja.

Sevilla welcomes No. 8 Getafe on Sunday, aiming to bounce back from last weekend's defeat, which knocked it off first place and ended an 11-game winning streak.

Other fifth-round matches are: Mallorca vs. Villarreal; Zaragoza vs. Levante; Deportivo La Coruna vs. Real Sociedad; Recreativo Huelva vs. Real Betis; Racing Santander vs. Celta Vigo; Espanyol vs. Osasuna.