Good evening and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Spanish Liga clash between Espanyol and Atletico Madrid. We'll bring you all the goals and action as it happens. Kick off: 17:15.

Espanyol are holding their own for the moment but there is the sense that Atletico Madrid are starting to take control of the contest. They have edged things so far this evening.

Atletico Madrid win the ball high up the field with Filipe whipping a cross into the penalty area, but there are no takers in red and white to make the most of the goalscoring opportunity.

It's interesting that Torres is starting given the current situation regarding the striker's future at the Vicente Calderon. Suggestions are that he will stay but it's not certain as things are.

DECENT EFFORT FROM CARRASCO! The Belgian is back on the field and cuts inside off the left to strike a shot at goal, but Pau in the Espanyol goal watches it flash past the post.

This could be something of a problem for Carrasco. He has gone down on the turf and is about to receive some treatment. He's already got some strapping on his right knee.

Atletico Madrid are looking to up the tempo to their play, with Gabi conducting things in the centre of midfield. Espanyol are going to have do a lot of running and chasing in this one.

It says a lot about just how important Saul Niguez has become to Atletico Madrid that he has been rested for this match with that match against Barcelona in mind. Crucial to them.

Of course, Atletico Madrid have the return leg against Barcelona in the Champions to concern themselves about. Simeone has made a couple changes to his team as a result.

Espanyol are looking to press high up the pitch against Atletico Madrid, playing the capital club at their own game. On this occasion Asensio commits the foul as he chases the ball down.

YELLOW CARD: Victor Sanchez (Espanyol)

Fernando Torres has been kept in the starting lineup by Diego Simeone for this game despite his stupid sending off in the Champions League against Barcelona during the week.

For the second time in a week Atletico Madrid make the trip to Barcelona, but it's the city's other team that they face this evening. Can they keep running in this season's title race?

The first half is under way! It's Espanyol against Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

TEAM NEWS: Espanyol - Pau, Lopez, Alvaro, Roco, Duarte, Duarte, Diop, Sanchez, Abraham, Asensio, Gerard. /// Atletico Madrid - Oblak, Juanfran, Godin, Lucas, Filipe, Gabi, Augusto, Koke, Carrasco, Griezmann, Torres.

I'm Graham Ruthven and you can contact me ahead of the Liga match to let me know your thoughts. Can Atletico Madrid catch Barcelona at the top of the table? Do they stand a chance? Tweet me!