So with a few missing players, how will Real Madrid fare? Jese starts up top instead of the injured Karim Benzema and Real are under pressure early on as Sergio Ramos gives a dodgy backpass to Keylor Navas, who clears hurriedly. 

Handshakes done, coins tossed. Real Madrid in their blue away strip today as both teams observe a minute's silence. 

Malaga get us under way. 

Elsewhere it's another big day for Gary Neville as he chases his second La Liga win as Valencia boss. Having smashed Rapid Vienna 6-0 in the Europa League in midweek, his team are away bottom-of-the-pile Granada later today. We'll have reports and reaction from that game to see if the Nevillution continues. 

Image source, Getty Images

Germany international Marcos Reus is watching it all from the bench so far after being named among the substitutes by Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel. We could do with a bit of his flair after a pretty lifeless first half hour.

Image source, Reuters

The teams are out at the Rosaleda Stadium in Malaga. A bright sunny day and 18 degrees. 

By the way, did anyone mention to Cristiano Ronaldo that Luis Suarez became the first player in the top five European leagues to reach 25 goals when he scored on Saturday?

No? Shall I tell him or will you? Ronaldo has 21 in La Liga and 33 overall, but Suarez beats him on that front too with 41 in all competitions. The Real forward didn't seem too bothered on the flight to Malaga. 

Image source, EPA

Javier Hernandez shows his predatory instincts as he closes down Roman Burki and forces the Dortmund goalkeeper into a desperate clearance. He's lucky to get away with that one as we wait for the first goal with 20 minutes gone.

European issues have been pretty complicated this weekend, so let's keep our debate simple today. Can Barcelona be caught by Real or Atletico Madrid? Send us your reasoning via the usual channels on #bbceurofooty, external, text on 81111 or visit the Match of the Day facebook page. , external

Image source, AP

For Gareth Bale fans, it's not good news. The Welshman has not made it back into the team or the match-day squad, for that matter. Karim Benzema is also injured with Jese Rodriguez in for the Real striker. 

Malaga XI: Kameni, Rosales, Miguel Torres, Albentosa, Weligton, Recio, Juanpi, Camacho, Čop, Charles, Ricardo Horta

Real Madrid XI: Navas, Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, Kroos, Kovacivic, Isco, Jese, Ronaldo. 

Image source, Reuters

There have been a few stories that Gareth Bale is on the mend and a few suggestions that he could be back from a calf injury that has kept him out since 17 January. So is he in the team? Let's take a look. 

Leverkusen have made a couple of changes, recalling former Dortmund midfielder Kevin Kampl and ex-Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, following their 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League.

Dortmund have made five changes from the side that beat Porto 2-0 in their own Europa League tie as it finished Germany 2-0 Portugal.

Leverkusen XI: Leno, Jedvaj, Wendell, Tah, Toprak, Kramer, Bellarbi, Kampl, Hernandez, Kiessling, Mehmedi. 

Dortmund XI: Burki, Piszczek, Durm, Papastathopoulos, Hummels, Ginter, Bender, Leitner, Mkhitaryan, Pulisic, Aubameyang. 

As well as the latest from La Liga, we'll also keep tabs on the Bundesliga game between Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund, which is already under way and currently goalless. 

Dortmund in second are 11 points behind leaders Bayern Munich, with fourth-placed Leverkusen a further 13 points behind Dortmund.  Win today and Leverkusen will be third and a mere 21 points behind Pep Guardiola's team.

What is this - France? 

So a win today will put Real seven points behind Barca, and importantly it could allow them to overtake Atletico Madrid, who face a tricky home game against Villarreal, which you will be able to follow right here on the BBC Sport website. Our coverage will start at 19:0 GMT.

It could be a very interesting day in store. However, this will be no walkover for Real. Last time they played Malaga, Javier Garcia's side managed a goalless draw in the Bernabeu. That won't do for Real this time. 

Image source, Empics

Zinedine Zidane has been in charge for a little over six weeks, has an unbeaten record with five wins and one draw in his six matches and yet the France legend admits it will be "difficult" for his team to catch Barcelona. 

But has he given up? Hell, no. What do you expect from a man who was a reigning World Cup, European Championship and Champions League winner all at the same time. "We will give it everything," he says. Judging by the pictures in his team's 2-0 win at Roma in the Champions League earlier this week, the bond with his players is strong. 

Image source, Getty Images

Luis Suarez missed two sitters and Barcelona wobbled against Las Palmas on Saturday, but they still came through to win their eighth consecutive La Liga game to sit nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid and 10 points clear of Real in third. 

The gauntlet has been set. With 14 games to go can Zinedine Zidane's side catch them?