Again Karim Benzema finds himself in a promising position in the box.

The cross is just a tad too high, and he directs his header wide for Real Madrid.

Karim Benzema gets a sight of goal and has a crack for Real. It's harmlessly off target.

During the week Atletico's Luis Suarez put the Madrid derby into context, saying it's one game that "you want to prove yourself".

"You’re often judged on how you perform in these kinds of games," he continued.

How is La Liga's second-highest scorer this season going to judged after today?

I'd say pretty well after that opener.

Any talk of Atletico's patchy recent form requires that Real's own inconsistencies be pointed out. It's only fair.

This is a Real Madrid side that finished with 17 more points than Atletico on their way to winning La Liga last season.

Zinedine Zidane's side, however, have struggled for consistency in 2020-21, losing four times - one more than the whole of last season.

They have so far failed to put Atletico under any sort of real pressure.

Well, this is a strange one.

Play is stopped and the ball is swapped.

It appears the ball was a bit deflated. A bit like this game so far, nothing to really pump you up.

It was only in late January that Atletico had a 10-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Recent form has been patchy. They have won just two of their past six matches in all competitions.

The did return to winning ways last Sunday with a 2-0 win away to Villarreal.

Kieran Trippier is seeing plenty of the ball for Atletico.

The England international certainly doesn't look rusty after being banned for 10 weeks for betting.

Luis Suarez tries his luck from distance. It's blocked and we now have the game's first corner.

Real Madrid are untroubled and clear the danger.

Atletico looking bright in these very early exchanges.

And they have a free-kick in a very dangerous position. It's the game's first set-piece.

Atletico can take a huge step towards securing a first La Liga title since 2014 by beating third-placed Real.

Easier said than done, however.

Diego Simeone's side haven't beaten Real in the league for five years.

And here we go.

Just moments away from kick-off now. Both sets of players are out on the pitch.

England right-back Kieran Trippier starts for Atletico Madrid on his return from a 10-week ban for betting.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Trippier, Savic, Filipe, Hermoso, Carrasco, Koke, Llorente, Lemar, Correa, Suarez.

Real Madrid are boosted by the return of French forward Karim Benzema from injury.

Real Madrid: Courtois, Vazquez, Verane, Nacho, Mendy, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Rodrygo, Asensio, Benzema.

After Barcelona's victory against Osasuna last night, this is how the table looks.

Image source, .

You may also want to watch the highlights from that Barca win.

The goal from 18-year-old Ilaix Moriba is worth a look.

Image source, Getty Images

Eighteen-year-old Ilaix Moriba scored his first goal for Barcelona to help them overcome Osasuna and move back to within two points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Lionel Messi helped create both goals for Moriba and Jordi Alba.

You can read the match report here.

Before we look ahead to today's game, let's recap how the title race is shaping up after Barcelona were in action last night.

Image source, EPA

It's a derby with no fans allowed in because of the pandemic.

But Atletico supporters have gathered outside the Wanda Metropolitano all the same.

Hello and welcome to another afternoon of European football coverage.

It’s a huge derby day in Madrid between title contenders.

La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid host champions Real Madrid.