Someone's rattling the letterbox at my house.

They're gonna have to wait.

This has been a breathless opening to this game.

Now Real go to the other end and Eden Hazard cuts in from the left before attempting to curl one towards the far post - in trademark fashion - but is unable to get enough bend on it allowing Jasper Cillessen to collect.

Hold on, might have done Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois an injustice here.

On the replay it looks like he gets a feather of a touch on the ball, diverting it onto the post, which makes it a magnificent save.

Inches from the opener...and it's Valencia who come closest.

Former Bolton Wanderers loanee Rodrigo runs onto a pass down the left and drives a low, crisp effort past the reach of Thibaut Courtois, but cannoning off the foot of the post.

Real Madrid peppering the Valencia goal.

German midfielder Toni Kroos has a pop from 25 yards but this one is easy for Jasper Cillessen to gather.

Ooof, almost the opener for Real Madrid - it should be.

Karim Benzema, so unselfish, slips an inch perfect all through on an Eden Hazard run.

The Belgium international is one-on-one with Jasper Cillessen, who gets the better of his opponent, stretching a long leg out to divert Hazard's low shot away from goal.

Image source, EPA

Theboydoingthings: Let's go Valencia

Magnificent Luda: I don't see them catching Barca. It's over!

Nice improvisation from Karim Benzema, opening up his body and side footing a first-time shot from eight yards out which is plucked out of the air by Jasper Cillessen.

Oh yeh, I watched a BBC rewind from Euro 2000 today between France and Spain.

My word, what a player Zinedine Zidane was.

Right foot touch, left foot drag back, outside of the foot pass.

Beautiful to watch, an absolute genius of his craft.

Manchester United and Liverpool fans might be keeping a close eye on Valencia winger Ferran Torres who has been linked with a big money move to the Premier League.

See how he gets on against Ferland Mendy tonight.

Real pushing early on and defensive midfield rock Casemiro - one of the most underrated players in the world? - strides forward and has a crack from 30 yards out but it is gobbled up by Valencia goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

For those of you who weren't aware...

Valencia manager Albert Celades scored one goal in 56 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid between 2000 and 2005.

His league debut for the club came in a 2-1 home win against Valencia on 9 September 2000.

The former midfielder would love to get one over on his old side tonight.

Real Madrid playing the remainder of their home games at the training ground as the Santiago Bernabeu undergoes renovation work.

Image source, EPA

Handshake and hug breaking all protocols, btw!

Away we go at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.

A handshake and hug between the two managers, Zinedine Zidane and Albert Celades, former Real team-mates.

Minute's silence before kick-off in memory of all those who have lost their lives from Covid-19.

Entering the back straight, are we in for a photo finish?

Image source, .

Former Chelsea man Eden Hazard starts for Real Madrid, as does ex-Tottenham man Luka Modric.

Wales international Gareth Bale is on the bench.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Mendy, Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde, Modric, Hazard, Benzema.

Former Manchester City flop Eliaquim Mangala is at the back for Valencia with Premier League linked Ferran Torres also in the starting eleven.

Valencia XI: Cillessen, Wass, Guillamon, Mangala, Gaya, Torres, Parejo, Kondogbia, Soler, Moreno, Gomez.

Image source, Getty Images

Barcelona did the business on Tuesday with victory over Levante to go five points clear at the top of La Liga.

Now it's over to Real Madrid tonight to try and keep pace with the leaders.