We're off...

It's raucous inside the Bernabeu, an atmosphere you would expect when a fierce local derby is about to be played inside one of the world's great footballing cathedrals.

The crowd falls silent though to respect former Spain coach Luis Aragones, who died on Saturday.

Of course, how could I have forgotten Becks? OK, so you have one - I bet you can't get another.

Mashy Young:, external Link between Preston and Real Madrid, how about David Beckham?

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

And, while you're following this entertaining and informative live text, you may also want to listen to live commentary on Preston v Nottingham Forest on 5 live sports extra.

Tune in on digital radio, digital TV, online, or via the BBC Sport and BBC Radio apps.

Tom: Not wildly optimistic about Forest's chances tonight but a reunion with the Blades and Mr Clough would be a cracker.

So, we're all in order, apart from me reminding you of how to get in touch. Tweet using the hashtag #bbcfootball, external or text on 81111 (UK only). As well as your opinions on tonight's action, you can talk all things football. Were you as surprised as me to see back of Michael Laudrup? Do you immediately think of Inspector Monkfish from the Fast Show when you hear the name Garry Monk? Apart from tonight's football, is there anything that links Preston and Madrid?

BBC Sport's Chris Osborne at London Road: "The poor old Johnstone's Paint Trophy can get some stick sometimes for being a bit of a sideshow for sides in the Football League. But when you get to this stage, the area final, you are but two legs away from a lucrative trip to Wembley.

"Swindon in fact got there two years ago, but lost in the final to Chesterfield - who trail 3-1 to Fleetwood in the other area final. Peterborough had two targets at the start of the season: Promotion; and the JPT Trophy. So don't say they're not taking it seriously."

Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao, Xabi Alonso, Modric, Di Maria, Jese, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Atletico Madrid: Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Insua, Gabi, Koke, Turan, Diego, Raul Garcia, Diego Costa.

One man who won't be featuring at the Bernabeu tonight is Gareth Bale. The Welshman sits out with a calf injury. Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a three-match ban for his red card in the win at Athletic Bilbao, but that is only for league matches.

Image source, Getty Images

Yep, we have all of the La Liga top three in last-four, first-leg action tonight.

Second-placed Barcelona, off the back of a first defeat in two months, host Real Sociedad at 21:00 GMT.

In about 20 minutes' time, third-placed Real host leaders Atletico in an all-Madrid derby mash-up. Tasty.

But the FA Cup isn't the sole focus of our attention this evening. I'm sure that fans of Preston and Forest will not be offended when I say that the Copa del Rey semi-finals add a touch of glamour to proceedings.

Which brings us to tonight and the final FA Cup fourth-round tie to be decided. Preston and Nottingham Forest couldn't manage a goal between them at the City Ground, so now do it all again at Deepdale.

With the fifth-round meeting that awaits, I suspect that all of Forest, PNE and the Blades fancy a run to the quarter-finals.

While the sporting world was giving a collective "you what?" to the twin shocks of Michael Laudrup and Kevin Pietersen being axed by Swansea and the England cricket team respectively, the League One Blades were quietly knocking Premier League Fulham out of the FA Cup.

To that result, the collective response was: "Oh yeah. That's not really a shock is it?"

According to Bruce Willis's character in Lucky Number Slevin, a Kansas City Shuffle is when everyone else looks left, you move to the right.

That's exactly what Sheffield United did last night.