Valencia have barely touched the ball so far with most of this match being played in their own half.

It's been a bit frantic with no clear-cut chances.

A very early yellow card for Valencia forward Roman Yaremchuk for a heavy challenge.

Real Madrid dominating possession in these early stages.

This is the first time Vinicius Junior has been back at the Mestalla since last season, when racist slurs were allegedly hurled at the Brazilian.

The game was halted for 10 minutes as Vinicius pointed out fans who were abusing him before he was involved in an altercation with Valencia players that led to him being sent off.

It's not been a very warm reception from the home supporters for him so far.

The teams take part in a minute's applause to remember the victims of the fire, then we're under way in Valencia.

The two teams line up to give a guard of honour to a selection of fire fighters, medical staff and some of those affected by the fire and both captains pay their respect to those killed with a wreath placed on the pitch.

An emotional evening at Mestalla Stadium.

Valencia have failed to score in their last two matches - they have not gone three in a row without scoring in the top-flight since February 2023.

No place in the starting XI today for Luka Modric, who rolled back the years with a sublime late winner against Sevilla last time out. He was the only man on the scoresheet with England midfielder Jude Bellingham absent for a third consecutive game.

Modric has started in just 11 of his 21 La Liga appearances this season.

He's on the bench today.

Image source, Getty Images

Valencia's La Liga match against Granada was postponed last week after a deadly fire in the city.

At least 10 people were killed after the fire ripped through two apartment blocks in the Spanish city, with up to 15 people missing.

Their men's, women's and academy squads held a minute's silence before their training sessions last Friday morning and the club will fly flags at half-mast at their facilities.

A three-day period of mourning was declared in the Valencian region.

Real Madrid have conceded only 16 goals in 26 La Liga matches this season, their lowest tally of goals conceded at this stage of a campaign in the history of the competition.

They have gone 20 games unbeaten, with 15 wins and five draws.

Image source, Getty Images

Good news for England and Real Madrid fans -that Jude Bellingham is back in the starting XI after three weeks sidelined with injury.

The midfielder has scored 20 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Let's get straight into some team news.

One change to the Valencia side that drew 0-0 against Sevilla last time out. In comes Javi Guerra as Hugo Guillamon drops to the bench.

Ruben Baraja Vegas' side did not play last week after a fire broke out in the city.

Valencia XI: Mamardashvili, Gaya, Mosquera, Diakhaby, Foulquier, Canos, Guerra, Pepelu, Perez, Duro, Yaremchuk

Subs: Domenech, Guillamon, Almeida, Gonzalez, Correia, Rivero, Ozkacar, Lopez, Amallah, Vazquez, Mari, Gasiorowski

Three changes to the Real Madrid team that beat Sevilla last time out thanks to a Luka Modric goal.

Most notably (and good news for England fans) Jude Bellingham is back in the side after a three-match absence with an ankle injury.

Educardo Camavingo and Dani Carvajal start as Nacho and Brahim Diaz drop to the bench.

Real Madrid XI: Lunin, Mendy, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Carvajal, Bellingham, Camavinga, Kroos, Valverde, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo

Subs: Nacho, Modric, Joselu, Vazquez, Ceballos, Garcia, Diaz, Guler, Kepa, Gonzalez

La Liga leaders Real Madrid travel to Valencia this evening looking to cement their position at the top of the table.

They could go nine points clear of Girona, who play tomorrow, with victory tonight while Valencia are without a in in their last two.

Let's do this.