Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has scored just two goals in his last six La Liga appearances and that was a double against rock bottom Elche.

Another Valladolid chance and Monchu should do better as he side-foots a first-time effort wide from 12 yards out.

What a huge chance for Real Valladolid. Roque Mesa gets the ball on the edge of the box and curls a beauty off the post. Thibaut Courtois was beaten.

Real Valladolid have collected four points from their last four games on the road in La Liga (W1 D1 L2), the same points as in their previous 11 away matches this season (W1 D1 L9).

Thibaut Courtois catches the corner and throws it out. He only has six La Liga clean sheets this season to Marc-Andre ter Stegen's 20.

Real Madrid have lost three of their 11 matches in La Liga in 2023 (W5 D3), only one defeat fewer than in the whole of 2022 (G34 W24 D6 L4).

Marco Asensio heads behind and Valladolid have a corner.

It's all Madrid. Vinicius Jr runs down the left and cuts it back for Toni Kroos, who hammers a shot over from outside the box.

Real Valladolid have not won an away game against Real Madrid in La Liga since May 2000.

Since then, it is two draws and 10 defeats.

That 1-0 defeat in 2000 is the only time Madrid have failed to score against Valladolid at home in La Liga. They have netted 113 goals in their other 44 such meetings.

Aurelien Tchouameni heads wide at the back post from Toni Kroos' corner.

Aurelien Tchouameni has a shot blocked and now Vinicius Jr wins a corner for Madrid.

Canada striker Cyle Larin has scored five goals in just eight La Liga games, equalling the best scoring start by a Real Valladolid player in the 21st century.

He joined on loan from Club Bruges in January.

Larin is already Valladolid's joint top scorer this season despite only arriving mid-season.

He's only on the bench today though.

Vinicius Jr finds Karim Benzema, who tries to lay it into the path of Rodrygo but it doesn't quite pan out.

Just the four minutes late, this game begins.

In Madrid's way today are a Real Valladolid side who are just one point above the relegation zone.

They have managed just 20 goals this season.

It's not over until it's over.

But it's almost over.

Real Madrid host Real Valladolid looking to move to within 12 points of leaders Barcelona.

Lose today and they'll be five whole wins behind Barca with 11 games to go.