Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Real Madrid's match against Villarreal - a game which could see Rafa Benitez's men close up to just two points off the top, should they eke out a victory.

FULL-TIME: Villarreal 1-0 Real Madrid.

YELLOW CARD: Denis Suarez (Villarreal)

This result will pile even more pressure on Benitez. A defeat here will leave Real Madrid cut adrift from the leaders at the top of the Liga, with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona battling amongst themselves.

That last change might have been an enforced one. Marcelo is down on the touchline receiving some treatment for an injury. That might explain why that last substitute was made.

Four minutes of stoppage time to be played at the end of the second half.

Why has that change from Benitez come so late? If he wants pace down the wings then why hasn't he thrown on Jese earlier, when he would have more of a chance to make an impact?

Real Madrid sub: Marcelo OFF, Jese Rodriguez ON.

CHANCE FOR VILLARREAL ON THE BREAK! I think they call that the commentator's curse. Villarreal come forward on the break, with Bakambu shooting wide when he should have played through Rukavina.

The pressure from Real Madrid relentless now. Villarreal have seemingly given up on countering on the break, they are solely intent on defending and seeing out what they have.

If Real Madrid can't find an equaliser after pressing for much of the second half, it will be truly disheartening. They were dismal in the first half, but they have passed up chances since the break.

Villarreal sub: Eric Bailly OFF, Antonio Rukavina ON.

Bailly has been excellent for Villarreal this evening. He isn't usually a right back, but was asked to fill in there against Real Madrid tonight and he has been very impressive. Talented.

Isco keeps glancing over to the bench. Of course, Real Madrid have used all their subs and so if the playmaker has to come off it will reduce his team to 10 men for the final 10 minutes.

That's not a great sign. Isco has only just been introduced into the game and he's already limping. Seriously, I think he's been on the pitch for about 10 seconds!

Real Madrid subs: Luka Modric and Casemiro OFF, Isco and Mateo Kovacic ON.

Is Modric coming off? Rathyer bizarrely the Croatian midfield is walking to the touchline as if he has been summoned, but we're yet to see a number raised by the fourth official on the board.

Modric is the man charged with pulling the strings from the centre of the pitch. But as things are the Croatian is struggling to find that final pass. It's just not happening for him.

This has been a common theme for Real Madrid this season. They have seen plenty of the ball over the course of their fixtures this term, but have struggled to creativity in the final third.

Real Madrid are now pressing hard for an equaliser, but Villarreal are camped deep in their own half defending as well as they can. They are proving difficult to break down. Solid.