Villarreal striker Juan Roman Riquelme insisted that Real Madrid have the upper-hand in winning his side in their upcoming Spanish league round-18 match that will take place on Sunday.

"We will play against a very big team with top-notch players on Sunday and we hope that they bring out the best in us during the match,” Spanish daily Marca quoted Riquelme as saying on Friday.

"If Ronaldo doesn’t play, they still have Julio Baptista, Guti and Zidane will do. They have a great squad and of them can play the needed role,” he added.

Nevertheless, the talented goal-scorer insisted that Villareal will do their best in defeating Real in a quest to keep their fourth-place spot in the league standings.

"We cannot think that we are a wonder. We have the luck of being in a good position, but it is necessary to remember that they are the favourites. Anyhow, we are obliged to try to win them and we’ll do everything in our power to surprise them and maintain our position,” Riquelme insisted.

Asked about Villareal’s 2-0 defeat to Valencia in the Spain Cup, the Argentine said: "I don’t know what exactly happened, but I do know that we will have to give our best to defeat Real.”

Villareal come in fourth place in the Spanish league standings with a tally of 30 points, one point ahead of fifth place Real.