Hello and welcome to Eurosport's coverage of Real Madrid against Valencia. I'm Ciaran Baynes and I'll be following the match with you.

GOAL FOR REAL! Benzema beats Domenech from 20 yards out, curling a low effort just inside the far post. Great finish.

Carvajal has been involved early, stifling Jose Gaya's centre at one end and then playing a nice looking cross for Benzema who can't get on the end of it.

Casemiro shoots low from 25 yards and Jaume dived too far away from the ball just managing to kick it away.

Real Madrid having a period of possession in the Valencia half but creating nothing of note.

Nice cross from Wass across the six-yard box which no one can get on the end of.

Benzema is inadvertently stamped on by Correira but should be alright to carry on.

Valencia get us underway...

A bit strange Real playing at their training ground and home of their reserves, Castilla, the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano. That said, not like the Bernabeu would be buzzing though is it?

The players coming out of the tunnel now.

The bookies have Real at under 2/1 on with a draw at an attractive 9/2, an away win can be backed at around the 8/1 mark.

Every game for Real Madrid seems must win at the moment. A win here will pull them within five points of their city rivals at the top of the table, but Diego Simeone's side will still have two games in hand. Failing to win and Barcelona, above Real on goal difference will look the best unlikely bet to deny Atletico.

Valencia should take some heart from a respectable draw for at Athletic Bilbao last time out, after conceding three goals in defeats to leaders Atletico and Sevilla on their previous two away trips.

As for the visitors, their only change is Ferro making his first appearance since joining on loan from Benfica. He replaces Hugo Guillamon at the heart of Los Che defence.

Two changes for Real from their 2-0 victory over Getafe in the week. Daniel Carvajal comes in for Marcelo, with Ferland Mendy moving across to right back, and Toni Kroos starts in place of Marvin. It appears Zinedine Zidane will go with a slightly more defensive 4-3-3, rather than the 4-2-3-1 prefered on on Tuesday.

And this is the Valencia team who will take the field at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano..

This is how the champions are lining up...