Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho says pre-game form can be discounted ahead of his side's mouth- watering Champions League showdown with Manchester United on Tuesday.
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Both teams approach the concluding leg of the last 16 tie at Old Trafford buoyed by excellent recent results.
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United have established a huge lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and are also in the FA Cup quarterfinals, while Madrid go into the game following impressive back-to-back wins over old foes Barcelona.
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United claimed a precious away goal in the 1-1 first- leg draw in Madrid three weeks ago, but Mourinho says it is impossible to pinpoint the factors that will decide the outcome of the tie.
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"They (United) are on a fantastic run, better than ever this season –reaching the FA Cup quarterfinals, winning the Premier (League) already in March.
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They don't lose a match in months," he said. "We're also in good form in 2013. But that's the $1 million question: who knows what is going to make the difference?
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"Nobody knows, and tomorrow (Tuesday) the world will stop to watch this tie. It looks like a final. Let's see which teams arrive at Wembley (for the final), but I doubt the expectation can be bigger than for this one."
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Mourinho has included Iker Casillas in his squad despite the Spain goalkeeper being sidelined with a broken hand, but the Madrid manager confirmed that he would not be able to feature.
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"Everyone's fit and ready to play, with the exception of Iker Casillas," he said at Monday's pre-game press conference.
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Mourinho rose to prominence in England after leading Porto to a shock victory over United in the Champions League in 2004, celebrating the decisive goal at Old Trafford with an impromptu sprint down the touchline.
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The former Chelsea manager says that although he is now more adept at controlling his emotions, the feelings provoked by what happens on the pitch remain as intense.