Most of our focus tonight will be on the events in the Bernabeu. But there's also a big, if slightly meaningless, game across the Pyrenees...

Sevilla stagger back into life after that early blow. Top scorer Kevin Gameiro jumps onto a loose ball in the Madrid box, firing high over into the stand.

And Sevilla had started so brightly...

Unai Emery's men have not won away in La Liga all season remember.

Blimey! Sevilla smack the Madrid woodwork. Benoit Trémoulinas floats in a mis-hit cross from the left flank which catches out home keeper Keylor Navas. He backtracks to touch the ball on to his crossbar...

Open start. Gareth Bale breaks clear, looks to cross to Karim Benzema, but dithers on his right foot. If he had two good feet he'd be a hell of a player that lad....

The all-white Galaticos start the game, but are almost cut open inside the first minute. Diogo Figueiras tries to latch on to Kevin Gameiro's perfectly-weighted pass, but a heavy touch carries the ball into Keylor Navas's hands.

The two sets of players have walked out of the Bernabeu tunnel, shaken hands and are almost ready to go.

But before kick-off there will be a minute's silence, like ahead of all La Liga games today, after a fatal bus crash in northern Spain earlier.

Thirteen students of various nationalities were killed and dozens more injured when a bus carrying them back from a popular traditional festival crashed.

Spanish La Liga

A couple of bits of admin to tidy up before kick-off at the Bernabeu. 

Earlier, Barcelona stretched their La Liga lead to nine points, despite throwing away a two-goal advantage at fourth-placed Villarreal. 

And Gary Neville continues to feel the heat at Valencia. Los Che lost 2-0 at home to Celta Vigo, who climbed above Sevilla into fifth with the win.

Sevilla have a lengthy absentee list, including some recognisable names like Ever Banega, Vitolo, Michael Krohn-Dehli, Steven N'Zonzi and Yevhen Konoplyanka.

Sevilla XI: Sergio Rico, Tremoulinas, Rami, Coke, Sergio Escudero, Kolodziejczak, Diogo Figueira, Iborra, Krychowiak, Cristóforo, Gameiro.

Image source, Getty Images

Hands up if you're happy that Gareth Bale is starting, Wales fans? Chris Coleman's star man will miss Thursday's clash with Northern Ireland in Cardiff and the trip to the Ukraine on March 28 after consultation with Real Madrid.

Coleman dismissed fears over the forward's future availability, saying the "joint decision" will have no long-term consequences.

"If you look at his record he is not a player who misses games unless he has to," said the Wales manager.

Bale, 26, is missing the two friendlies because of fitness concerns. The Ukraine game is also scheduled the day before Bale's partner Emma Rhys-Jones is due to give birth to their second child.

The BBC is back! Nope not us, we've always been here. Real Madrid's BBC!

Karim Benzema starts alongside Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, the France striker returning after a three-week absence through injury.

But regular centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Pepe are both suspended...

Madrid: Navas, Danilo, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema. Subs: Casilla, Rodriguez, Carvajal, Arbeloa, Lucas Vazquez, Jese, Isco.

This managerial game isn't that simple, is it Zizou? Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane might have been able to effortlessly glide past opponents as a player, but he's finding life as a boss not quite so easy.

His team are 13 points adrift of arch rivals Barcelona, with neighbours Atletico clear of them in second. 

Lucky then that tonight's opponents Sevilla have worse travel sickness than a primary school pupil...

Hola amigos! After briefing saying 'hasta la vista', we are back for our second sample of the Spanish top-flight.

Real Madrid's chances of winning a first Liga since 2012 appear slimmer than the latest smartphone released by a conglomerate which shares its name with a piece of green fruit.

But Los Merengues have been given hope this weekend. Only a tiny slither mind, but hope nonetheless....

Image source, EPA

It's not goodbye, it's just au revoir. (I know that's French, but I don't know the Spanish equivalent.)

Anyway...I'm disappearing but, in the words of Arnie, I'll be back. Back about 19:15 GMT to be exact, when we'll keeping tabs on Real Madrid v Sevilla.

In the meantime, you can amuse yourselves by following our coverage of the Manchester derby and Spurs' title assault. Take your pick and make sure you come back later. Adios!

Barca continue their remarkable run, holding on to go 39 matches unbeaten in all comps.

For Villarreal, that gutsy comeback means they consolidate fourth spot in La Liga. The Yellow Submarine are six points clear of Sevilla, who go to Real Madrid later, in the race for the final Champions League place.

Nope, Villarreal can't make that final set-piece count. Barca nod clear to the edge of the box, where a Villarreal player smashes back over the bar.

All over! Barca blow a two-goal lead, but the point extends their La Liga advantage to nine points over second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Barca corner, Messi takes, Villarreal head clear....

The Yellow Submarine chug forward on the counter in the dying seconds, winning a free-kick on the left edge of the Barca box. Here's the chance to finally sink the Catalans...

Javier Mascherano is back in his natural habitat, sliding in on Villarreal forward Adrian inside the away box. "Penalty!" shout the home fans (in Spanish). Ref Jose Sanchez shakes his head. Looked a legal challenge to me...