Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as the champions Real Madrid welcome Villarreal. The home side will be looking to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona to 13 points, but Villarreal have previous when it comes to picking up results in this stadium. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates of the action from the capital.

Real Madrid recorded a 3-2 win over Villarreal when the two teams met at the Estadio de la Ceramica last time out. The points were shared, however, when the pair locked horns at the Bernabeu last season. Villarreal have not beaten Real Madrid in the league since a 1-0 victory on home soil in December 2015, and that was their first win over the Madrid giants since May 2009.

Despite Villarreal's struggles when it comes to beating Real Madrid; the Yellow Submarine have earned a point on two of their last three visits to the Bernabeu. Right, time for the team news here...

Real Madrid are again without the services of injured pair Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema, meaning that Nacho starts at centre-back and Isco joins Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in the final third. Dani Carvajal is back from a league suspension to feature at right-back for the hosts.

As for Villarreal, Manu Trigueros is back in the team following a suspension, but Victor Ruiz is still banned. Bruno, Ruben Semedo and Roberto Soriano are among those are the sidelines through injury, meaning that Samu Castillejo features once again. Dani Raba, who was sent off against Real Madrid in the reverse match earlier this season, will support Carlos Bacca in the final third of the field.

So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in Madrid. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with the hosts Real Madrid, who will be looking to bounce back from successive draws in their last two fixtures.

Real Madrid might be the reigning Spanish, European and world champions, but there is no question that things are just not right at the moment. Bar an incredible collapse from Barcelona in the second half of the season, Los Blancos are going to relinquish the Spanish title to their bitter rivals.

Sixteen points currently separate fourth-placed Real Madrid from the league leaders Barcelona. Zinedine Zidane's side do have a game in hand, but it is extremely difficult to imagine the Madrid giants closing that gap, and they are also seven points behind second-placed Atletico Madrid at this stage.

It seems a long time ago, but Real Madrid's last home league match was against Barcelona on December 23. Ernesto Valverde's side recorded a 3-0 win at the Bernabeu to move further clear, and Los Blancos then dropped more points away to Celta Vigo as they could only draw 2-2 at the Balaidos.

When considering that Barcelona have won six more league matches than Real Madrid at this stage of the season, all is not well. The Madrid giants did manage to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, but they were held 2-2 by Segunda Division side Numancia at the Bernabeu in the second leg of their last-16 tie. They simply have to return to winning ways here.

Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have both struggled to find the back of the net in the league this season, but Gareth Bale netted a brace against Celta last time out, and the Welshman will be looking to build on that performance here. It is simply a must-win match for Real Madrid as they look to gain some ground on Barcelona, but it does appear that the damage has already been done when it comes to retaining their title during the 2017-18 campaign. Kickoff is fast approaching in the Spanish capital.

As for Villarreal, the visitors will enter this match knowing that a win would move them to within one point of the Spanish champions, and they will bring a three-game unbeaten run to the Spanish capital. The Yellow Submarine were held at home by Deportivo La Coruna in their first match of 2018, but have won their last two away league fixtures – both 1-0 – against Celta Vigo and Valencia.

Javi Calleja's side have only lost once since the start of December, and that was a 2-0 home reverse to Barcelona. A total of 28 points from 18 matches has left them in sixth position – just one point behind fifth-placed Sevilla, and as mentioned, four points off Real Madrid entering this match.

Only Barcelona (7) and Atletico (6) have won more away league games than Villarreal (4) during the 2017-18 campaign. They finished fifth in Spain's top flight last season, and will have their eye on at least repeating that this term. Like Real Madrid, the Yellow Submarine were in Copa del Rey action on Wednesday night, but despite beating Leganes 2-1, they exited the competition on away goals. Calleja's team are still in the Europa League, however, and will face Lyon in the round of 32 next month.

KICKOFF! Villarreal get things underway at the Bernabeu...

... it is a cold and wet afternoon in the Spanish capital. Far from a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere. Real Madrid simply have to win this football match - nothing else will do this afternoon. As expected, the home side have had most of the ball in the early exchanges.

Half-chance for the home side as Bale is found by Carvajal inside the Villarreal box, but the Welshman's touch is poor and Asenjo is on hand to claim. Sloppy defending from the away side.

Villarreal attack down the right through Mario, but the right-back's cross is cleared by Varane. Not too much to report in the last couple of minutes as both teams enjoy spells with the ball.

Good spell for Villarreal in the last couple of minutes as they pass and probe in the final third of the field. Eventually the ball is delivered towards Castillejo, but Navas is on hand to collect after Varane had a swipe at the cross. Real Madrid look quite nervy, and that is understandable to be honest.

Real Madrid are struggling to get into the game at the moment as Villarreal continue to look the better team in possession. Ronaldo swings a low cross into the box following a run down the left, but Bonera is on hand to make the clearance. Still goalless with nine minutes on the clock.

Nacho has a shot blocked as Real Madrid just start to force the issue here.

Plenty of possession for Real Madrid at the moment, but not too much else. Ronaldo, Bale and Isco have struggled to get into the match in the opening 12 minutes of action at the Bernabeu.

Castillejo comes close to finding Bacca with a through pass as Villarreal threaten on the counter-attack, but Varane just about does enough. Already some groans from the home supporters.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Bale heads home from close range, but the flag is raised.

Better from Real Madrid in the last couple of minutes as they start to put sustained pressure on the away side. Kroos delivers a dangerous free kick from a wide area, but Bonera makes the clearance.

Not too much to report in terms of Villarreal pressure in the last few minutes, although Real Madrid are not exactly creating chance after chance. Still goalless with 18 minutes on the clock here.

SAVE! Wonderful save from Asenjo to keep out a powerful strike from Marcelo!

You do get the feeling that Real Madrid need to score the first goal in this match. A goal for the visitors could see this stadium turn on their team. The hosts are the side on the front foot here.

Real Madrid win a free kick in a dangerous area as Rodri fells Modric...

... CROSSBAR! Ronaldo sees his free kick hit the top of the crossbar!

Villarreal are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as the pressure continues.

Much better from Villarreal in the last couple of minutes as they enjoy a period of possession. That is exactly what the visitors needed following a strong spell of pressure from Real Madrid here.

Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and we are still goalless. Real Madrid have certainly come the closest, but Villarreal have been nice and organised for long spells. The atmosphere is still good despite Real Madrid looking a little bit shaky at the back.

Kroos fires over the Villarreal crossbar after Bacca had been denied by a fine Nacho challenge down the other end of the field. Bacca's touch just let him down at the final moment there.

CLOSE! Ronaldo again comes close for the home side after meeting a pass from Modric, but the number seven just chips his effort wide of the far post. Should have scored!

CHANCE! Ronaldo again for the home side, and again he hits the side of the goal!

Villarreal are living a charmed life at the moment as Real Madrid continue to force the issue.

Good spell from Villarreal in the last couple of minutes as they keep the ball in and around the Real Madrid box. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and we are still level. In truth, the home side should be ahead. Ronaldo could have had a hat-trick in the opening 35 minutes here.

Villarreal win a free kick in a dangerous area as Casemiro brings Fornals to the deck...

... half-chance for Villarreal as Alvaro rises highest to meet the free kick from Fornals, but it is a very comfortable save for Navas between the home side's sticks. Might have done better there.

Isco drills a low cross into the Villarreal box, but Bale can only flick the ball wide of the post. I am not entirely sure how this match is still goalless, but that is indeed the case.

We have not seen an awful lot from Isco in this first period. Bale and Ronaldo have both had chances, but neither has been able to take them. As for Villarreal, Rodri at the heart of their midfield has been excellent once again. The number 16 has been a class act at the Bernabeu.

Kroos slides a pass through to Ronaldo, but the number seven is offside.

CLOSE! Bale just misses the far post with a curling effort. Real Madrid have had a lot of chances to take the lead this afternoon, but the score is still goalless approaching the interval.

BOOKING! Bacca (Villarreal) is booked for a foul on Casemiro.

SAVE! Incredible chance for Ronaldo as the Portuguese meets a low cross from Isco, but Asenjo comes from nowhere to make a stunning save!

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid being held by Villarreal at the Bernabeu. The home side have had a number of opportunities, but have simply been unable to find the back of the net. Ronaldo could well have had four in the first period here!

STATISTICS! Real Madrid shaded the first-half possession with 56%, while they had 18 attempts, but just three of those were on target. Villarreal, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their four attempts. Just the one yellow card to report - Bacca for a foul on Casemiro in the 44th minute.

BENCH WATCH! Cheryshev and Unal are among those on the Villarreal bench this afternoon, and it would not be a surprise to see both of those feature in the second period. As for Real Madrid, Asensio, Lucas and Mayoral are all available for Zidane. Interesting second 45 ahead here!

RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action here...

... VILLARREAL SUB! Raba has been replaced by Cheryshev at the break.

Half-chance for the away side as Fornals breaks into the final third of the field, but the midfielder's effort was always missing the far post. No changes for Real Madrid at the half-time break.

CHANCE! Super chance for Villarreal as Cheryshev works some space outside the Real Madrid box, but the substitute sends his low effort just wide of the post. What a chance!

Half-chance for the home side as Isco delivers a dangerous cross into the Villarreal box, but Ronaldo cannot make contact at the far post. Surely the first goal is coming in this match.

Villarreal threaten once again as Castillejo pokes a low cross into the Real Madrid box, but after a bit of pin-ball, the danger is cleared. Real Madrid break down the other end moments later, but Asenjo is down to keep out a volley from Kroos. End-to-end football with 53 minutes on the clock.

It is almost like a basketball game at the moment as both teams force the issue in the final third. Isco delivers another dangerous cross into the Villarreal box, but Alvaro rises to head clear.

I cannot believe that this football match is still goalless. It is so incredibly open as Real Madrid again break forward; Ronaldo has a strike blocked and Villarreal are off down the other end of the field.

Smart save from Asenjo as the Villarreal stopper gets down to keep out Ronaldo.

We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering alterations. More Real Madrid to be honest, with Villarreal already using their bench this afternoon. I would be astounded if this finished level as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field.

BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Carvajal.

Half-chance for Villarreal as Bacca finds space in a dangerous area before striking towards goal, but Navas is on hand to make the save. The visitors are not sitting back in this match.

CHANCE! Super work from Castillejo as the attacker starts a brilliant move down the right before finding Bacca with a low cross, but the striker smashes into the side-netting!

Kroos sees another strike kept out by Asenjo as chances continue to arrive at both ends.

Real Madrid have had 25 shots in this match, and the score is somehow still goalless. No movement on the home side's bench as things stand, but we must be getting close to a change here.

Ronaldo fires the ball straight at Asenjo as another chance comes and goes for the hosts.

Little over 20 minutes of football remaining, and Real Madrid appear to be preparing a double change. Asensio will be one of those that comes off the bench for the Spanish champions here.

REAL MADRID SUBS! Asenio and Lucas replace Bale and Isco.

Little over 15 minutes of football remaining at the Bernabeu, and you just sense that Real Madrid have to win this football match. They are not going to win the league this season, but they need to put three points on the board. Marcelo is down the left and has another cross blocked.

Casemiro swings one wide of the post after finding space in a dangerous area.

Real Madrid keep the ball in and around the Villarreal box, but the cross from Carvajal is too strong, and the away side can resume from the dead-ball line once again. Still goalless in the capital.

VILLARREAL SUB! Unal replaces Bacca for the away side.

Villarreal continue to pick up fouls inside the Real Madrid half, which is only adding to the frustration in the stands. The clock is ticking, but there is still more than enough time for a winner here.

Villarreal are having lots of the ball at the moment as we head for the final 10 minutes.

Modric misses the crossbar from an advanced area as Real Madrid pass up another chance.

Real Madrid have had plenty of the ball in the last few minutes, but they are just not making Villarreal panic. The away side are very tight in their defensive shape at the moment.

VILLARREAL SUB! Rukavina replaces Castillejo for the away side.

Time is running out for the home side, but you do get the feeling that they will have at least one big chance in the final stages. Villarreal's hearts would be broken if they conceded at this stage.

Oh my word! Incredible! Villarreal make the breakthrough in the 87th minute as Fornals clips into the back of the net after Navas had parried a shot from Cheryshev. Absolute scenes here.

BOOKING! Lucas (Real Madrid) picks up a booking for a foul on Rukavina.

We are into the first of three additional minutes, and Real Madrid cannot get going here.

That might be that for this match as another long ball into the away side's box is cleared. Villarreal have defended well, but Real Madrid have been so poor in the final third of the field this afternoon.

Incredible! The referee brings the second period to a close with Villarreal recording a 1-0 win at Real Madrid in La Liga. The pressure is heaped on Zidane! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!