Almost ready to go at the Bernabeu. Handshakes all round.

Almost a great goal for Bayern Munich. The ball drops in from the sky to Thomas Muller, who watches it all the way and catches it perfectly on the volley 20 yards out. Sadly for him it was straight at the goalkeeper.

Not long to go until the Madrid derby. Here's a picture of the two managers - Zinedine Zidane and Diego Simeone, both talented midfielders in their day, playing against each other - to keep you going for the next five minutes.

Image source, Getty Images

Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer is called into action and he has to get down low to keep out Max Kruse's glanced header from a free-kick. I think it was going to creep in via the post.

Robert Lewandowski, Wolfsburg's bogey man after the reverse meeting, cuts inside onto his right foot but skews his shot and it's high and wide.

So if you want to chat about the Madrid derby - or Wolfsburg v Bayern, then tweet me using #bbceurofooty.

Some Bayern fans think their side have gone ahead as Naldo heads a cross out for a corner. The ball deflected off the stanchion and hit the net, hence the optical illusion.

Still goalless.

It's been all Bayern Munich so far in the opening eight minutes but they haven't created a real opportunity yet.

As I write that, Philipp Lahm blazes one over from distance.

Wolfsburg: Casteels, Trasch, Naldo, Dante, Rodriguez, Arnold, Luiz Gustavo, Vieirinha, Draxler, Schafer, Kruse. Subs: Grun, Schurrle, Knoche, Putaro, Stolze, Azzaoui.

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Bernat, Alaba, Kimmich, Lahm, Alonso, Coman, Robben, Costa, Muller, Lewandowski. Subs: Ulreich, Benatia, Thiago, Ribery, Gotze, Rode, Vidal.

It's not tight at the top in the Bundesliga. Before kick-off today, Bayern Munich were eight points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund with 12 games left.

Dortmund - who host Hoffenheim tomorrow - are another 12 points above third-placed Hertha Berlin.

Wolfsburg are eighth, but only four points off a Champions League spot.

Also today, we will be bringing you updates from Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich's trip to Wolfsburg - which kicked off at 14:30 GMT.

If that fixture sounds familiar to you, but you can't work out why...

Robert Lewandowksi scored five goals in nine minutes after coming off the bench in the reverse fixture.

Image source, #bbceurofooty

Real Madrid are without Gareth Bale and Marcelo through injury. James Rodriguez starts, despite reports the club want to sell him.

Atletico Madrid go with out-of-form Antoine Griezmann (no goals in five La Liga games) and Fernando Torres up front.

Real Madrid: Navas, Danilo, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal, Modric, Kroos, Isco, Rodriguez, Ronaldo, Benzema.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Filipe Luis, Gabi, Saul, Augusto, Koke, Griezmann, Torres.  

Image source, EPA

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says “whatever happens, we won’t be saying goodbye to La Liga. We're not going to give up until the end because there are points to play for". 

But he would say that, wouldn't he?

Both sides drew their most recent La Liga match last weekend to lose further ground on Barcelona.

But, while Real have had the week to train for today's derby, Atletico had to travel to the Netherlands to face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday. They drew 0-0.

“I don't organise the fixtures," Real boss Zinedine Zidane clarified. "The important thing is to prepare well for the game. Every week it's someone's turn to prepare with not a lot of time to rest."

Of course, it might all be elementary in the end as Barcelona - unbeaten in a club-record 33 games in all competitions - will need to lose at least three of their last 13 La Liga games - or else draw five, for anyone to even have a chance to catch them.

Tomorrow they host Sevilla, who incidentally are the last team to beat them - back in October.

Image source, Rex Features

The Madrid derby this season feels a bit like the last-chance saloon.

Atletico are eight points behind leaders Barcelona with Real another point behind their neighbours.

Win today and either side can still hold onto that slim title hope. But lose and surely, surely, it's all over.