Good evening and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Spanish Liga clash between Valencia and Real Madrid. We'll bring you all the goals and action as it happens at the Mestalla. Kick-off: 19.30.

Of course, with Barcelona slipping up against Espanyol yesterday there is a chance for Real Madrid to claw back some of the difference at the top of La Liga. They desperately want three points tonight!

So how will Valencia respond? They have conceded first in nine of their last 10 games, and they'll have to come from behind if they are to claim something from this match now.

That was sheer showboating from Real Madrid! The flick from Bale was ridiculous, the through ball from Ronaldo was excellent and the calm finish from Benzema was super cool.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Valencia 0 Real Madrid 1 (16 mins - Karim Benzema). What an excellent goal from Real Madrid! Bale and Ronaldo slot Benzema through and the French striker finds the bottom corner with an exceptional finish.

The away side are starting to dictate the possession in the centre of the pitch, but they aren't really making much progress. Valencia are camped firm on the edge of their own box.

Real Madrid are not happy with some of the challenges that are coming in from Valencia. This time Danilo goes in hard on Ronaldo, but the referee keeps his cards in his pocket.

Bale looks lively tonight. He has actually found some decent form in the last few weeks, even as Real Madrid have struggled to find their own groove. He has been their best player.

PAREJO COMES CLOSE! The Valencia player glances a header towards goal from a corner kick delivery, but with Navas rooted to the spot the ball flashes past the far post.

BALE CHOSE THE WRONG OPTION! The Welshman drives through the centre of the pitch, but opts to pass to Benzema instead of going to Ronaldo, who was in more space down the right.

BALE WASN'T FAR AWAY! Danlo's cross into the penalty area from the right wing was dangerous, with Bale throwing himself at it - but he couldn't stretch far enough to get his head on it.

Neither team has really taken a grip of this game yet. Valencia are trying to press the issue, but Real Madrid are having a lot of freedom through the middle. It's too easy for them there.

WAS THAT A PENALTY KICK? Cancelo threads a wicked ball through to Alcacer, only for the striker to be pushed off the ball by Pepe. The referee waves away the claims for a spot kick, though.

Kovacic has been favoured in the centre of midfield. The Croatian has been chosen over Isco and James Rodriguez, who are both watching the match from the comfort of the subs bench.

In fact, the home supporters at the Mestalla actually unfurled a banner in support of Benitez before kick-off. It thanked him for the success he enjoyed at the club about 10 years ago.

Benitez has struggled for acclaim for his own fans this season, but this is somewhere where he is very much appreciated. Real Madrid supporters might not like him, but Valencia fans do.

And we're under way at the Mestalla! It's Valencia against Real Madrid, Gary Neville against Rafael Benitez.

Gary Neville is still looking for his first win as Valencia manager - can he get it at the fourth attempt? He needs a positive result to start turning things around at the Mestalla club.