This could get very uncomfortable very quickly for Rayo. Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic link up well to force a corner, which is swung in and nodded towards the near post by Tiago, with Tono forced to dive low and punch away.

Image source, AFP

Third time unlucky for Rayo. The away side's third error of the night costs them as Ze Castro's attempted pass into midfield is cut out by Antoine Griezmann, who is then able to run on goal and finish well past Tono for his 12th goal of the season.

I think maybe we've just the reason why Rayo keeper Tono wants to distribute the ball short to his defence. His first goal kick sails way out of play on the left, gifting possession back to the home side.

The first real Rayo shot of the match comes from Gael Kakuta, who gathers possession after a free-kick is half-cleared but cannot catch his shot cleanly making the save easy for home keeper Moya.

Rayo really are in a generous mood. Keeper Tono tries to take a quick kick to his full-back, who is closed down and has the ball nicked off him by Arda Turan. The Turkish player cannot find Mario Mandzukic in the box with his low cross, though, and Rayo clear. All that was lacking from that pass was a bow and a tag saying "For Atletico, love Rayo".

If Rayo want to lose this game then defending like they just have is a good way to go about it. A free-kick is swung in and met by Mario Manszukic, who is totally unmarked. Luckily for the away side, the home striker glances his header wide.

Rayo have an initial dart forward but they are unable to fashion anything from it with the ball going out for a goal-kick.

And we are under way, with the away side kicking off. Game on.

The teams are out at the Vicente Calderon. Kick-off is moments away...

And this is the team Rayo hope will help them avoid a repeat of last season's game at Atletico, in which they were blitzed 5-0...

Rayo Vallecano starting XI: Tono, Ze, Abdoulaye, Morcillo, Fatau, Baena, Jozabed, Trashorras, Aquino, Kakuta, Manucho.

There a few familiar names to Premier League fans in the Rayo starting line-up, including Gael Kakuta, who is on loan from Chelsea, and Manucho, formerly of Manchester United and Hull.

And here are the 11 men Atletico have tasked with getting them victory tonight...

Atletico Madrid starting XI: Moya, Juanfran, Miranda, Gimenez, Siqueira, Mario Suarez, Tiago, Gabi, Arda, Griezmann, Mandzukic.

As you can see, there's no starting spot for Fernando Torres. The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker is on the bench.

Image source, EPA

It has been a good week for Atletico off the field, with the club announcing that Chinese billionaire Wang Jianlin will be buying a 20% stake for €45m (£34m) and coveted coach Diego Simeone hinting that his long-term future lies at the Vicente Calderon. All they need now is to finish the week on a good note on the pitch.

As always, you can get in touch with us via Twitter and text. If tweeting is your thing just use the hashtag #bbceurofooty., external Or if you'd rather lob us a text, use the number 81111 (UK only).

Image source, Getty Images

Did I say Barcelona were easing to victory earlier? Storming seems more apt. The final whistle has just gone in the game at Elche, soon after Neymar completed his hat-trick. The final score? Just a humble 6-0!

Image source, Reuters

In just over 10 minutes time, Atletico Madrid will kick-off against Rayo Vallecano in the the first of the games we'll be covering via the medium of live text. As it stands, Diego Simeone's men trail leaders Real Madrid by seven points and are three behind second-placed Barca. The pressure is on... how will Los Rojiblancos respond?

Image source, Reuters

Leaders Real Madrid sneaked a win by the skin of their teeth, second-placed Barcelona are easing to victory at Elche. Now we turn our attention to the reigning champions...