Evening all! Sports Mole's La Liga coverage continues from the Jose Zorrilla as Real Valladolid welcome Real Madrid. The home side currently sit 18th in the table with three games to play, but would move out of the drop zone with all three points against Los Blancos tonight. Madrid, meanwhile, know that victory would move them to within two points of league leaders Atletico Madrid with two games remaining.

TEAMS:

VALLADOLID: Jaime; Rukavina, Mitrovic, Valiente, Bergdich; Pena, Rubio, Perez; Oscar, Guerra, Jeffren

MADRID: Casillas; Nacho, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric, Isco; Di Maria, Benzema, Ronaldo

So there we have it. No real surprises in the Valladolid XI this evening, with top scorer Javi Guerra once more leading the line. Former Barcelona attacker Jeffren also starts in a wide position, while Alvaro Rubio and Victor Perez are named in midfield. Madrid, meanwhile, are without the injured Gareth Bale. Dani Carvajal is also unavailable, with Nacho coming in at right-back. Isco comes into the midfield, meanwhile, meaning that Angel di Maria will move into a forward position alongside Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for Valladolid. Los Blancos have won each of the last five games, scoring an incredible 17 times in the process. The reverse match earlier this season ended in a 4-0 home win, while Madrid have won 3-2 and 4-1 on their last two visits to this particular stadium. Can the home side end that poor run of form this evening?

Valladolid enter the match off the back of a 1-0 win over Espanyol at the weekend, with that result handing them real hope of survival this season. They have lost just one of their last five in the league and as a result, sit just one point behind 17th-place Almeria. Even if the home side are beaten this evening, that will not be the end of their relegation battle this season with two matches still to play.

Remarkably, just three teams have won at Valladolid in the league this season. Only Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao – the current top four in La Liga – have lost fewer games on their own patch. It has been their form on the road that has left them in trouble, with just one win and 11 defeats from their 17 games, which is the second-worst record in the division.

Goals have also been a problem for Valladolid this season with just 34 strikes in the league, 13 of which have come from Guerra. Madrid, meanwhile, are the leading scorers in the division on 100 goals. Down the other end, Valladolid have conceded 54 times, but kept 12 clean sheets in the process. Meanwhile, Madrid have conceded 34 times, which is the third-best record in the league behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Madrid missed a serious opportunity in the league at the weekend when they drew 2-2 at home to Valencia. A draw for Barcelona and a defeat for Atletico had placed Los Blancos in a strong position, but they needed a last-minute strike from Cristiano Ronaldo to secure a point. They can still win the title, but would need to win all their games and hope that Atletico slip up at Barcelona on the final weekend of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have been strong on their travels this season with 11 wins from their 17 games, but they have lost twice in the process. It could be a famous campaign for the capital outfit, who won the Copa del Rey against Barcelona last month and will contest the final of the Champions League with Atletico later this month. Right, just about time for my prediction with little over five minutes until kickoff.

PREDICTION: In short, Madrid cannot afford to slip up this evening. Only three points will be good enough to maintain their title challenge and I expect that to be the case. Valladolid have worries of their own and despite a strong home record, I am predicting Los Blancos to pick up the points with a 2-0 win.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital this evening. Right, the home side get the first half underway.

Spanish goalkeeper Casillas has not featured in a league game for Madrid since January 2012, but starts this evening as he prepares for the Champions League final. It will not be easy for his side tonight, however, with Valladolid unbeaten since November in this stadium. That said, it has been a confident start from the visitors, with the likes of Alonso and Modric all enjoying possession of the ball in the Valladolid half.

It is bright work from Ronaldo as the Madrid forward drives past two defenders before facing up to Valiente, but the Spaniard makes a fine challenge at the vital moment. Jeffren has a shooting opportunity down the other end following a loose clearance from Ramos, but his effort is high and wide of Casillas's crossbar.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Valladolid to take the lead as Oscar delivers a brilliant cross onto the head of Guerra, but his effort just flashes wide of the post. Golden opportunity for the forward.

Plenty for the home supporters to be excited about in the opening eight minutes as Jeffren again threatens down the Madrid left, but his cross is straight into the arms of Casillas. It has been an untidy start from Madrid, however, with the likes of Isco and Alonso sloppy in possession. Still goalless at Jose Zorrilla.

This time Bergdich is involved for Valladolid as he breaks down the left before delivering a cross towards Guerra, but Casillas is out to claim. Madrid are down the other end with Benzema moments later, but the Frenchman loses out in a clash with Valiente. Incredibly open and end-to-end match at the moment.

SUB! Madrid are forced into an early change here as Morata replaces Ronaldo. That is a serious concern for the Spanish outfit this close to the Champions League final. Wow.

Ramos attempts the spectacular for Madrid after meeting a loose ball inside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The centre-back has been in the goals of late, netting four times in his last three matches. No word on what type of injury Ronaldo has suffered. Maybe it was just a precaution.

Valladolid's bright period of the match continues as Jeffren breaks down the right before combining with Guerra, but the former Barcelona attacker fouls Ramos in an attempt to regain the ball. Not too much in terms of chances for the away side, however, who have been knocked by the loss of Ronaldo. Morata is involved inside the Valladolid box moments later, but his low cross is hooked clear by Rukavina at the vital moment.

BREAKING: Ronaldo has picked up a hamstring injury, according to reports coming from the Madrid bench. As yet, no word on the seriousness of the strain. Hopefully it is just a short-term one.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with a head injury to Nacho slowing proceedings on the field. The referee, meanwhile, has been called into action to deal with a number of late challenges. Valladolid remain the brighter, however, with Madrid struggling to carve out clear chances.

Half-chance for the home side as Rukavina breaks into the Madrid box before squaring for Oscar, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Poor from a player with his type of technique. Madrid attempt to break down the other end with Morata, but the Spaniard runs into traffic and once more Valiente clears.

Modric has a half-chance for the away side after finding some space outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. That has been the story of the half thus far for the visitors. The home supporters continue to create a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium and their team are feeding off the support.

Madrid force a period of pressure as Di Maria twice delivers into the Valladolid box, but Valiente clears the first before the Argentine delivers straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Los Blancos break forward moments later with Alonso, but Pena fells the Spaniard. Slightly untidy last couple of minutes.

CHANCE! Madrid's best chance comes to Ramos as the centre-back meets a header from Morata inside the Valladolid box, but his header is off target. Di Maria picks up possession moments later, but his effort is wide of the post. Slightly better from Carlo Ancelotti's side in the last few minutes.

BOOKING! Bergdich enters the book for Valladolid following a late challenge on Alonso.

BOOKING! The card is out again, this time for Real Madrid's Isco, who fells Guerra.

Not too much to report in terms of attacking pressure in the last couple of moments as a series of late challenges continue to interrupt the flow. Just a reminder that a point would be enough to move Valladolid out of the relegation zone this evening, but Madrid really need all three to keep their title hopes alive.

Opportunity for Madrid to threaten from a free kick as Pena brings Benzema to the ground outside the box. With no Ronaldo and no Bale, Di Maria takes on the set piece, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Still goalless at Jose Zorrilla with little under 15 minutes of the first half remaining.

The ill-feeling continues as Ramos gets himself involved in an altercation with Guerra, which forces the referee to intervene. Ramos did appear to catch the Valladolid striker, but there was not too much in it. It is the type of thing that Los Blancos need to avoid as their struggles in the final third continue.

Madrid have another free kick just outside the box as Perez lunges into a challenge with Alonso and makes no contact with the ball. Ramos steps forward and curls one into the top corner. Stunning free kick!

How big could that goal prove to be? Madrid had really struggled to create clear openings this evening, but now lead in the latter stages of the first period. Valladolid attempt to respond in a wide area with Rukavina, but his cross is straight into the arms of Casillas, who releases Nacho down the right.

Suddenly everyone in an orange shirt wants the ball as Valladolid begin to drop into a deeper position. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in terms of the final result. It is difficult to imagine the home side recovering from 2-0 behind against Los Blancos.

Morata tries his luck from outside the box for Madrid, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Valladolid break down the other end with Pena moments later, it eventually falls to Oscar, but Ramos is on hand to make the clearance. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining in the first period.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes as the late challenges continue to arrive, but there has been no more bookings. Madrid launch a counter with Di Maria in the next attack, but the Argentine loses out to Rubio down the right. Still 1-0 to Los Blancos.

CHANCE! Ramos comes close to his second after rising inside the Valladolid box, but his effort just flashes wide of the post. Another brilliant opportunity for the in-form Spaniard.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Madrid leading courtesy of that brilliant free kick from Ramos. Valladolid certainly started the stronger and came close via Guerra in the early moments, but his header was wide of the post. Madrid are in control at the interval this evening.

STATISTICS: Madrid have utterly dominated the possession with 77%, while they have had eight attempts, just one of which has been on target. Valladolid, meanwhile, have had three attempts, but failed to test Casillas thus far. There has also been two bookings issued in what has been a feisty first period.

BENCH WATCH: Valladolid are without their suspended forward Manucho this evening, but Martinez still has options in the shape of Daniel Larsson, Osorio and Sastre. Madrid, meanwhile, have already been forced into a change with Morata replacing Ronaldo, who picked up a hamstring injury early on. Ancelotti, however, still has the likes of Casemiro, Khedira and Illarramendi on his bench.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Valladolid would remain in the relegation zone, while Madrid would move into second and to within two points of leaders Atletico Madrid. Will that change in the second 45 minutes? Madrid get the second half of action underway.

Ramos is the 3rd Real Madrid defender to score in 3 straight La Liga matchrounds, just behind Jose Luis (1968) and Hierro (1991-1994-1998) — MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) May 7, 2014

No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 minutes or so. It has been a bright start to the half from the home side, with Jeffren and Guerra both involved in the Madrid half.

Half-chance for Madrid this time as Di Maria slides a low pass into Morata, who attempts to bend one into the corner, but Rukavina is on hand to make the clearance. The resulting corner is delivered towards Ramos, but Rukavina is on hand to clear once more. End-to-end football with 50 minutes on the clock at Jose Zorrilla.

Pena is involved for Valladolid as the Spaniard collects possession in a wide area before delivering towards Guerra, but Pepe is on hand to make the clearance. Rukavina finds himself in a similar position in their next attack, but it is comfortable for Casillas. It remains 1-0 Madrid with 52 minutes on the clock.

Guerra is again the target for Bergdich as the midfielder drives a low cross into the Madrid box, but the Spaniard is once more isolated. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Morata strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of the Valladolid stopper. It is so open.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Benzema to double Madrid's lead as the Frenchman meets a low cross from Nacho, but his effort is high and wide of the target. The Frenchman is in need of a goal.

Good pressure from Valladolid in the last couple of moments as the home side force two corners in quick succession. However, the first is headed clear by Ramos before Casillas comes to claim the second. Madrid are on the break moments alter with Isco, but Benzema loses possession at the vital moment. Still 1-0 Madrid.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with Valiente just one of a number of players diving into a late challenge. Modric has an effort for Madrid moments later, but his effort is straight into the arms of the Valladolid stopper. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining.

BOOKING! Morata has his name taken for Madrid following a late challenge on Bergdich.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Valladolid continue to force the issue in the final third. Jeffren finds some space inside the Madrid box, but Coentrao is across to clear for another corner. You just get the feeling that one goal will not be enough for Los Blancos tonight.

CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side as Pena finds himself all alone inside the Madrid box, but instead of roll a low cross into the area, he fires it high and wide.

SUB! Valladolid make their first change as Larsson replaces the ineffective Oscar.

The tempo has started to rise in the last few moments, with both sides forcing numbers into the final third. I would be surprised if one goal was enough to claim all the points this evening. Pena finds himself down the left moments later, this time he delivers into the Madrid box, but Pepe is on hand to clear for a corner.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Guerra as the Valladolid forward meets a cross from Jeffren, but his over-head kick just drops wide of the post. It is all Valladolid at the moment.

Madrid just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as the home side continue to force the issue in the final third. Ancelotti has made just one change this evening, but it would not be a surprise to see another in the next few minutes. As it stands, Los Blancos are moving into second position in the table.

CHANCE! Opportunity on the counter for Madrid as Morata drives past Pena before striking one towards the bottom corner, but Jaime is on hand to make the save. Little under 20 minutes remaining.

Benzema wants a penalty after tumbling inside the Valladolid box, but the referee is not interested. It just has not happened for the Frenchman this evening. Right, both sides are about to make changes...

SUBS! Madrid make their second change of the match as Illarramendi replaces Isco. Meanwhile, Valladolid replace Jeffren with Osorio. Still plenty of football to play at the Jose Zorrilla this evening.

BOOKING! Illarramendi is booked for Madrid following a late challenge on Osorio.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, with Madrid enjoying a period of possession inside the Valladolid half. The atmosphere inside the stadium has just dropped, which has taken the initiative away from the home side. Little under 15 minutes of normal time remaining this evening.

SUB! Madrid make their third and final change as Marcelo replaces Benzema.

Valladolid continue to threaten in wide positions, but the delivery from Pena has been short of the required standard in the second period. Madrid break with Marcelo, but the capital outfit are not too interested in forcing the issue and instead keep hold of the ball. What a final 10 minutes we have on our hands.

BOOKING! Pepe enters the book for Madrid following a late challenge on Bergdich.

SUB! Valladolid make their third and final change as Baraja replaces Perez.

Valladolid continue to force the issue by committing numbers in the final third, but they are struggling to find that elusive pass. Madrid, meanwhile, are attempting to keep the ball when they gain possession rather than go for a second. At the moment it is working with little over five minutes of normal time remaining.

It's bright work from Bergdich as the Valladolid midfielder breaks down the left before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Ramos is on hand to clear at the near post. This is far from over as the pressure continues, but Larsson's cross is headed behind by Pepe. Madrid are under serious pressure here.

Oh my word. Valladolid level with little under five minutes remaining as Osorio angles a header into the bottom corner, albeit via a deflection off Illarramendi. What a moment in La Liga at both ends!

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Valladolid on the counter as Bergdich leads a three-on-one counter, but picks the wrong option and Pepe is on hand to clear. It is all happening here!

BOOKING! Mitrovic is booked for Valladolid following a late challenge on Marcelo.

CHANCE! Incredible chance for Madrid as Pepe rises at the far post to meet a free kick from Modric, but it just deflects wide of the post. We will play four additional minutes this evening.

BOOKING! Baraja has his name taken for Valladolid for fouling Ramos. We are into the second minute of additional time and Los Blancos need something to happen here.

The pressure continues as Ramos delivers a deep cross into the box before Marcelo drives down the right, but Pena is on hand to make the challenge. Can Madrid force a winner in the final moments?

It just will not happen for Madrid as another move breaks down in the final third. It looks like the treble has gone for Los Blancos this season. Little under 30 seconds of time remaining and Valladolid have the ball.

Incredible scenes as Real Madrid's title challenge all but ends this evening following a 1-1 draw. They can still mathematically win the title, but in truth, it is over for this season. Valladolid, meanwhile, move out of the drop zone. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!