Vinicius Jr is stopped in his tracks unceremoniously by Hibelton Palacios.

No booking this time for the Elche player.

Best chance of the game so far!

Lucas Boye turns David Alaba inside out on the right side of the penalty area and rifles a powerful effort towards goal, but Thibaut Courtois gets a strong left hand to the ball.

Tremendous stop by the Real goalkeeper.

Nope, it's no good.

Rodrygo can't continue and on comes Marco Asensio.

More bad news - potentially - for Carlo Ancelotti: Rodrygo has gone down clutching the back of his left thigh.

Marco Asensio has been sent to warm up, but Rodrygo is determined to carry on.

The hosts win a corner but their delivery from wide positions has been poor so far.

Real surge forward and Rodrygo lashes a first-time effort wide of the post.

This is turning into an open game.

Marcelo curls a teasing cross into the Elche penalty area towards Rodrygo, who loses his footing as he tries to control the ball.

He chances half a glance towards the referee, but there was no infringement.

Mojica almost undercooks his header back to Kiko Casilla, but the Elche goalkeeper smothers the ball before Rodrygo can intercept it.

This is a good spell for the hosts, who are seeing more of the ball in the last few moments.

Fidel's delivery is blocked by Toni Kroos, who is then fouled by Raul Guti as he tries to launch another Real attack.

The Elche midfielder is shown the game's first yellow card.

A moment of respite for Elche as they win a throw-in deep inside the Real half. Hibelton Palacios sends the ball into the Real area but the visitors clear the danger.

The hosts now have a free-kick in a similar position...

Every Elche player bar Lucas Boye is currently camped inside his own half.

Real are dominating possession and probing the Elche defence for an opening.

Marcelo, who is also making his first start of the season this afternoon, feeds Vinicius Jr down the left but the youngster is stopped in his tracks by Hibelton Palacios.

Rodrygo stings the palms of Elche goalkeeper Kiko Casilla moments later with a powerful effort from the corner of the box.

Promising start by the visitors.

And away we go!

The teams are out at the Estadio Martinez Valero.

Kick-off is just moments away. Wouldn't say no to an early goal or two after Wednesday!

Image source, Getty Images

A Fidel penalty earned Elche a 1-1 draw in last season’s corresponding fixture – their only point in ten meetings with Los Blancos.

You have to go all the way back to March 1978 for Elche’s last victory over Real. Mind you, they have only spent five of the past 42 seasons in the same division as them.

Image source, Getty Images

Later on we’ll be bringing you live text coverage of Barcelona’s first game since the sacking of head coach Ronald Koeman.

Sergi Barjuan will take charge of the Nou Camp club for the visit of Alaves – that game kicks off at 20:00 BST.

Image source, BBC Sport

A reminder of the state of play at the top of La Liga. Tasty, eh?

Ancelotti makes five changes to the team that drew 0-0 at home to Osasuna. Striker Mariano makes his first start of the season in place of Benzema, while Luka Modric returns after missing Wednesday’s stalemate through injury.

Lucas Vazquez, Marcelo and Rodrygo are also restored to the starting line-up.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Marcelo, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Rodrygo, Mariano, Vinicius Jr

Elche make just one change to the side that lost 1-0 at Alaves on Tuesday, Javier Pastore replacing Tete.

Elche XI: Kiko Casilla, Palacios, Roco, Bigas, Mojica, Fidel, Mascarell, Raul Guti, Pastore, Lucas Perez, Lucas Boye

Image source, Getty Images

Yes, Karim Benzema has been left out of Carlo Ancelotti's matchday squad due to a foot injury. The Frenchman, who has 11 goals in 13 appearances in all competitions this season, has been playing through the pain barrier since suffering a blow to the foot in Real's shock Champions League defeat to Sheriff Tiraspol last month.

Ancelotti has decided now is as good a time as any to give Benzema the time he needs to overcome the issue.

Image source, Getty Images

After drawing a blank at home to Osasuna on Wednesday evening, Real Madrid once again find themselves trailing Real Sociedad at the top of La Liga – albeit with a game in hand.

That game in hand sees them travel to Elche, who are hovering just above the relegation zone in Spain’s top flight. Victory will lift Real back to the summit – but they must do so without their top goalscorer...