Good afternoon and welcome to Eurosport’s LIVE commentary of the derby clash involving Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. If Atletico lose and Barcelona beat Sevilla on Sunday, Diego Simeone's team will be 11 points adrift of the leaders. If Real Madrid lose the derby and Barca win, Zinedine Zidane's side will be 12 points behind the leaders. No pressure then.

Juanfran tries to find Torres with a low cross from the flank but Varane sticks out a boot and the visitors have their first corner of the match. We know how dangerous they are from set-pieces...

STAT! Atletico have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last nine matches.

Godin does well to make a clearance from a Ronaldo cross. The hosts have made a promising start here, they look hungry.

Danilo, in an advanced position, makes a challenge in Atletico's final third. Real are playing a high line and putting the visitors under pressure high up the pitch.

The hosts have dominated the possession in the early stages. Atletico have looked quite nervous on the ball and have given it away cheaply on a few occasions already.

STAT! Real Madrid have scored at least four goals in their last four home league matches.

The hosts show their attacking intentions with just two minutes played on the clock - Benzema delivers a low cross into the box, the away defence only clear the danger as far as Ronaldo who has an early pop at goal but the effort is wide!

KICK-OFF! Atletico get us underway.

FIVE MINUTES TO KICK-OFF: The players are making their way onto the pitch now as we get closer to what will surely be an intriguing match. It's a real six-pointer at the top of the La Liga table with the loser almost certainly out of title contention.

However, Atletico have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last nine matches and are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.

STAT! Real Madrid have been winning at both half time and full time in their last seven home matches.

It has been two games without a goal for Diego Simeone's Atletico and, in a bid to address the problem, the Argentine boss has set up an attacking system with Torres playing alongside Griezmann.

"The only way I know is to keep trying to create chances," he said, (via ESPN). "That is the path. It's clear that goalscorers go through moments, sometimes they finish better than others. We hope to rediscover this part of our game soon."

Cristiano Ronaldo (via BBC): "It is an important game, at home, in front of the fans, against a tough opponent that defends well. It is a game that we have to win. We know that La Liga is difficult but we need to fight until the end."

Jose Gimenez is handed a place in the away central defence where he partners Diego Godin. Augusto Fernandez returns to midfield alongside Gabi, Koke and Saul Niguez. Antoine Griezmann – who has 17 goals this season – is partnered in attack with Fernando Torres.

James Rodriguez is handed a start for Real Madrid, despite being linked with a move away from the Bernabeu. Benzema returns for the hosts after missing last week’s draw at Malaga. Pepe and Marcelo are missing in defence so Raphael Varane starts at centre back and Danilo features at left-back. Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco form Madrid’s midfield three. Gareth Bale is missing through injury.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Filipe; Koke, Gabi, Augusto, Saul; Griezmann, Torres. Subs: Moya, Gamez, Lucas, Oliver, Kranevitter, Correa, Vietto

Team news when we get it. For now, have a read at how a 'united Madrid' team would line-out.