Very, very nearly another goal as Cristiano Ronaldo is only denied by the toe of Tono, the defender just stealing back in time to frustrate the Portugal international for the second time tonight.

The goal was gaping after Marcelo's cut-back from the left.

French Ligue 1

Here's another big game in Europe that I'm sure you're aware of. Marseille's home game with Lyon, who are looking to extend their lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table, after Paris Saint-Germain lost 3-2 at Bordeaux earlier today. Goalless so far.

Jujaboy kubai: I think Iker Casillas's downfall started when Jose Mourinho was there. He was given only Champions League football and since then all hell has broken loose...

Kindinu Kakumba: Real have to win tonight, they need some confidence ahead of the big one next week.

Opeyemi: I think Sevilla will decide the title. They have not lost in a year, with Real and Barca still to play there.

Get involved using #bbceurofooty, external on Twitter, or text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to let us know your name and location.

Loads and loads of Real possession and they finally lead. It really was only a matter of time because Levante have barely touched the ball. This could be a rugby score. Fill your boots Gareth.

Told you so! Gareth Bale has got it, and his wait for a goal is over. He fires the ball home, which was loose in the box after Levante failed to clear first a Cristiano Ronaldo scissor-kick-style effort and then a Karim Benzema header.

Boy does he look relieved.

There's definitely one coming though. Real had three players in an offside position, including Karim Benzema, who poked the ball home after Luka Modric's shot from outside the box was fumbled by the Levante 'keeper.

Free-kick to Cristiano Ronaldo. Who else is going to take it from here? Slightly to the left-centre, 29 metres from goal we are informed.

Deep breath, and... into the wall? Yep.

There's some noisy support in tonight, but a few empty seats too. Of those in the stands, there are some very dapper looking chaps. One such with a very modern twist on the panama hat, coupled with some pretty snappy shades.

Real are stroking the ball around under no pressure whatsoever. Levante are spectators too.

Real are all over this. Levante can't get hold of the ball.

A lovely nonchalant little flick from Karim Benzema to find Ronaldo there. He feigned as if to shoot, and just turned his body ever so slightly to send it right into his team-mate's path. 'How dare the post deny me!?', Ronaldo glared.

Cristiano Ronaldo is keen too! A clever pass inside from Karim Benzema finds the waxwork enthusiast in the box, he stabs it towards goal but it's come back off the upright! Ronaldo can't believe it, the look he is giving that post, could kill.

An early chance for Gareth Bale as he juggles a chipped ball from Marcelo in the box before lifting it up and towards goal. A shot? Cristiano Ronaldo was looking to latch on to it, but it flashes wide.

Bright start from Bale.

We are under way.

The players are out on the pitch, but there is a minute's silence to be held before the game in memory of former Real goalkeeper Antonio Betancort, who has died aged 78.

Betancort made 177 appearances for Real between 1961 and 1971, winning six Spanish league titles, two Spanish cups, and Real's sixth European Cup in 1966, when they beat Partizan Belgrade 2-1.

Stuart Monro: Real don't know how good they've got it. Bale is having a tough spell. So is the whole team. Stick with him he'll come good.

Callum Manki: I think that Iker Casillas is past it now, he was amazing about five years ago but he is just too old. Still a legend however.

Get involved using #bbceurofooty, external on Twitter, or text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to let us know your name and location.

Image source, Getty Images

Iker Casillas will be watching from the bench tonight then. He's dropped for the first time in the league since November.

He did look a bit shaky in Tuesday's 4-3 defeat at home to Schalke.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is certainly feeling confident about his team's chances in next week's meeting with Real. "We will arrive as leaders and in perfect shape,'' Enrique said after Barca's 2-0 win at Eibar yesterday.

Lionel Messi was in majestic form, dazzling us with novel ways to evade pretty much every player on the pitch, but scored two pretty ordinary goals, at least by his standards. One a penalty, buried, the other a header.

Sunday 22, March, 20:00 GMT. It's set up to be a brilliant encounter.

As ever we'd love to hear from you. What do you make of Real's line-up tonight? Is dropping Iker Casillas fair? Do you think Bale will get a goal? How do you rate Real's chances in next week's Clasico meeting with Barca?

Get involved using #bbceurofooty, external on Twitter, or text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to let us know your name and location.

The teams are in already so let's have a look how Marca's predictions played out...

Sergio Ramos returns to the starting line-up for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in early February, Luka Modric also makes his first start since returning from injury, but the big news is that Iker Casillas has been dropped, with Keylor Navas coming in.

Real XI: Navas, Pepe, Ramos, Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale, Marcelo, Carvajal, Lucas Silva, Modric, Isco.

Levante XI: Marino, Lopez, Navarro, Ramis, Tono, Camarasa, Simao, Xumetra, Barral, Morales, Uche.

Image source, Getty Images

Bale hasn't scored in his last seven matches, but was inches away from scoring an absolutely stunning equaliser in Real's 1-0 defeat against Athletic Bilbao last Saturday. His long-range lob crashed against the bar with eight minutes to play, and that was that. The fine margins.

Ancelotti's certainly been protective of Bale, preferring to share the blame, external amongst the team as a whole after a run which has seen his side drop five points in their last two league games.

Tonight, there should be more positive news for the Real faithful. Levante are 18th in the Spanish table, and have won just once away from home all season.