Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Ipurua as Eibar welcome Real Madrid in what is a key fixture. On paper, this should be a straight-forward three points for Real Madrid, but the visitors will enter this match off the back of successive league defeats. What's more, an incredible start to the season for Eibar has seen them occupy seventh position, just four points behind their opponents here. It should be a cracking game! A loss is just unthinkable for Rafael Benitez's side.

Real Madrid will take confidence from their two league meetings with Eibar last season, however, which both brought comfortable victories. The Spanish giants were 4-0 winners in this stadium in November 2014, before recording a 3-0 victory at the Bernabeu back in April. Indeed, the 4-0 reverse in the corresponding game last season was Eibar's biggest home defeat in La Liga.

We are still waiting on the confirmed team news this afternoon, with Real Madrid not exactly strangers to late releases of their XI, which makes it helpful for us lot! Isco is suspended this afternoon, however, and that should, I repeat should, mean a return for James Rodriguez here.

At last, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news...

TEAMS:

EIBAR: To follow

REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Nacho, Danilo; Modric, Kroos, Kovacic; Bale, Ronaldo, James

Still waiting on Eibar, but Real Madrid's XI is in. There are four changes from the team that won away to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League during the week, with Keylor Navas, Danilo, Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez all starting. Karim Benzema has dropped to the bench, while Isco is suspended and Raphael Varane misses out through injury. Sergio Ramos and Marcelo also remain on the sidelines for Los Blancos, whose first-choice defence has been hit with injury in recent weeks.

As mentioned, Real Madrid are the favourites here, but Eibar have only lost one of their last eight league matches and that was away to Barcelona. An impressive 1-1 draw at Villarreal last time out made it three games without a defeat and they are currently just four points off fourth-place Celta Vigo.

Eibar should technically be playing Segunda Division football this season after being relegated from Spain's top flight in the 2014-15 campaign. They were one of the surprise packages in the first half of the season as they recorded a host of surprise results, but they ultimately finished 18th in the La Liga table, which meant relegation and saw a host of players leave the club.

Eibar were given a pass back into La Liga, however, when Elche, who finished 13th, failed to make a series of repayments and were instead relegated to Spain's second tier. It could yet be a difficult campaign for the minnows, but they are currently 10 points clear of the relegation zone and looking up the table rather than down. It will once again be a packed house at the Ipurua today!

© Getty Images

TEAMS:

EIBAR: Riesgo; Capa, Pantic, Dos Santos, Junca; Garcia, Adrian, Escalante; Berjon, Enrich, Inui

REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Nacho, Danilo; Modric, Kroos, Kovacic; Bale, Ronaldo, James

So there we have it. The Eibar team is finally in! The hosts are without the suspended Keko this afternoon, while Jaime and Lillo Castellano remain on the sidelines through injury. Ander Capa will once again operate in an unfamiliar right-back role, while on-loan Catania midfielder Gonzalo Escalante starts in the middle of the park. There is also a spot in the XI for Japan international Takashi Inui.

No team in La Liga this season has lost fewer games than Eibar, while five wins and five draws have seen them collect 20 points. The goals have flowed with 17 in their 12 matches, while they have only conceded 12 times, which is the same number as Barcelona and just one more than Real Madrid. Their bubble might be burst with a heavy defeat here, but it is a good time to be an Eibar supporter.

As for Real Madrid, they are currently in a difficult period. A 3-2 defeat to Sevilla before the international break saw them relinquish first position in the table, before a 4-0 home loss to Barcelona last weekend ultimately saw them drop to third. They have not lost three league games in a row since the 2008-09 campaign, but that is once again staring them in the face here.

© Getty Images

Indeed, defeat this afternoon and you would have to seriously question their hopes of winning the title. It is still early in the season, but Barcelona are currently nine points clear and it is difficult to imagine the Catalan side losing three matches and indeed Real Madrid taking advantage of any possible slip-ups. Los Blancos need their big players to perform in this match, that is for certain.

One of those big players, well the biggest, Cristiano Ronaldo came to the forefront on Wednesday when he scored twice in Real Madrid's 4-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League. Los Blancos led 4-0 in that match entering the final 15 minutes, but incredibly conceded three late goals due to some sloppy defending. It was a victory, but it should have been a lot more comfortable.

Rafael Benitez was given a vote of confidence by club president Florentino Perez on Monday, which was certainly needed following the shock El Clasico result. The Spaniard's relationship with a number of high-profile players continues to be called into question, however, and anything other than a win this afternoon would lead to yet more questions surrounding his future. Not long until kickoff!

In truth, Real Madrid should win their next two league matches – this one and at home to Getafe – and they will hope that Atletico Madrid have dropped points by then so they can at least enter the winter break in second position. They will face a tough trip to Villarreal before the festive period, however, and it is those games that will define their season. No player can afford to hide for the Spanish giants as they attempt to overcome a difficult period. Right, prediction time for me.

PREDICTION! I really fancy Real Madrid to bounce back here. The away side's defence does not look too secure, but I just think that Benitez's team will ultimately have too much quality in the final third. It might not be pretty for long spells, but I am backing Real Madrid to win 2-0 here.

Bale and Ronaldo have had a strange love-hate relationship over the last couple of seasons, but they showed some unity during the Champions League clash with Shakhtar during the week. The Real Madrid supporters will be hoping to see more of this from the attacking pair at the Ipurua...

© Getty Images

KICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium and why not with Real Madrid in town. Eibar fancy this, you can tell. Right, it is the visitors that get the first period underway here...

... as expected, Eibar have adopted a high-pressing style in the early stages of this match, just to let Real Madrid know that they are in a game. Indeed, the home side's quick start forces the first corner of the match after strong work from Berjon. This will be a tricky afternoon for the away side!

It has been a very bright start from the home side as they continue to move the ball in the final third, but Real Madrid have the space to threaten on the counter. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital here. Real Madrid's confidence is low at the moment.

Real Madrid have not yet been able to get their passing game together, with a loose one from Modric seeing Eibar win a throw under little pressure. No clear chances for either side in the opening six minutes, but the hosts have arguably had the better of it. Good tempo to this contest!

Inui finds space in a wide position before delivering towards Enrich, but Navas is out to claim and release Bale down the field. Neither side has been able to find that final pass thus far here.

It has not happened for Real Madrid in the opening 11 minutes of this match, with too many passes going astray. There is clearly space for the visitors to exploit, however, and you have to question whether Eibar can maintain this pressing game for the whole game. Still goalless at the Ipurua.

Eibar have had a couple of chances to deliver set pieces into the Real Madrid box in the opening 13 minutes, but the overall quality has been poor. This game is just drifting at the moment.

SAVE! Eibar's first attempt on target comes from Enrich, who released a powerful strike from outside the box, but Navas took a couple of steps back and claimed. Decent strike that!

CHANCE! Easily the best chance of the match so far as James delivers a wonderful pass into the path of Ronaldo, who advances into a one-on-one situation with Riesgo, but the Eibar goalkeeper stands strong to make the save. Really bright work from the Spanish stopper there!

Just a few signs that Real Madrid are starting to take control of the match, but Eibar have the ability to threaten with their movement in the final third. Berjon takes it upon himself to have a go from just inside the Real Madrid half, but his effort was always moving over the Real crossbar!

Again it is good goalkeeping from Riesgo as the Spaniard shows excellent hands to take a low Danilo cross into his body when Ronaldo and Bale were hovering. End-to-end football here.

SAVE! Navas is called into action for the away side as Inui's strike is deflected towards goal, but the Costa Rican makes a decent stop, before taking the ball into his body under pressure from Enrich. Neither defence looks capable of keeping a clean sheet this afternoon at the Ipurua.

Eibar's front three of Inui, Enrich and Berjon are making this a very uncomfortable game for Real Madrid's defence, with the three attackers full of movement and energy. Real Madrid will still feel that they are in control of the match, but Benitez cannot be too pleased with the performance.

Again it is wonderful goalkeeping from Riesgo as the Eibar stopper comes out to deny Ronaldo, but the 30-year-old attacker was offside and it would not have counted. Not that Riesgo knew!

It has not exactly been a difficult game for the referee to officiate, but there have been a few late challenges in the last couple of minutes and the first yellow might not be too far away. Ronaldo has had the best chance of this first period, but the home side are very much holding their own here.

Ronaldo has been on the end of a few tasty challenges in this match and it is safe to say that the 30-year-old is not best pleased with the referee at the moment. Bale is released down the right for the visitors, but the Welshman is blocked off by Adrian and eventually Riesgo claims once again.

Enrich races through on goal for Eibar, but the Spaniard was just in an offside position when Berjon released the pass. Those two are causing problems in the final third with without the likes of Ramos, Varane and Marcelo, Real Madrid look a little open. Still goalless with 30 played here.

Dani Garcia attempts the spectacular outside the Real Madrid box after watching a header drop onto his foot, but the midfielder's effort was always moving over the crossbar. Decent strike!

BOOKING! Dos Santos (Eibar) is booked for a poor challenge on Danilo.

Danilo is still down following that late challenge and does not look comfortable at all...

... Danilo limps off the field and a change might well need to happen here.

A mistake inside the Eibar box almost allows Real Madrid to take the lead with an own goal, but Riesgo is on the scene to take control once again. He has been excellent thus far here!

Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still all square. In truth, neither side has had a clear chance since Riesgo denied Ronaldo from close range in the 15th minute.

BOOKING! Kovacic (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Garcia.

I think a lot of people - myself included - expected a response from Real Madrid in this game, but it has not really arrived. Eibar have more than matched Los Blancos in this first period and deserve to be level at this stage of events. It has been a scrappy last couple of minutes from both sides.

SAVE! Modric finds space outside the Eibar box, but his strike is straight down Riesgo's throat and it is another smart save. A goal at this stage of proceedings could be vital.

Ronaldo breaks away down the left before delivering towards Bale, but dos Santos is across to make the block and the visitors have another corner, which Modric will take...

... GOAL! Eibar 0-1 Real Madrid (Bale)

Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the latter stages of the first period as Bale heads home at the near post following a super cross from Modric. It is a really well-worked goal!

One additional minute will be played at the end of this first period.

CHANCE! Real Madrid come close to scoring a second as a mistake in the Eibar back four presents Bale with the chance to shoot, but his low strike is pushed wide of the post by Riesgo!

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 following a header from Bale in the 43rd minute. It was tough on Eibar, who have matched the visitors for long spells of this contest. As it stands, Los Blancos are heading for a vital three points.

STATS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 67%, while they have had 10 attempts - five of which were on target. As for Eibar, they hit the target with two of their three attempts. There have also been two yellow cards thus far, one for Dos Santos and one for Kovacic.

BENCH WATCH! Eibar have a number of options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Luna, Arruabarrena and Hajrovic all capable of making a difference in the second period. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have the likes of Benzema, Vasquez and Cheryshev in reserve at the Ipurua.

RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Eibar find a route back into the match? It will be tough! The hosts restart proceedings here...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of events. However, I suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind. Eibar might be behind, but they are more than capable responding. They have to score the next goal though.

Ronaldo goes down inside the Eibar box and wags his finger at the referee, who is not interested. It has been another frustrating game for the attacker, who has come in for some rough treatment, that is for sure. Not too much in terms of chances in the early stages of this second period here.

Inui finds space in a wide area before delivering towards the far post, but Navas is out to claim and release Carvajal down the right. Eibar's final ball has been disappointing this afternoon.

Neither side is really in control of the match at the moment, but there have been a few indications that Eibar are starting to tire as they give away a couple of free kicks in quick succession. The latest gives Ronaldo the chance to strike from distance, but his effort smashes into the wall.

CHANCE! Ronaldo goes for the spectacular as he meets a super cross from Bale, but the attacker's bicycle kick was always spinning away from goal. It would have been some strike!

Little over 30 minutes of this contest remaining and Real Madrid still lead 1-0 courtesy of that Bale header late in the first period. The home side are still pressing forward, but it is difficult to say that they are really knocking on the door. For me, a second Real Madrid goal ends this as a contest.

Inui delivers a sensational cross onto the head of Enrich, who angles his effort towards the centre of the goal, but it was always just too high. Much better service from a wide area there.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to level as Pantic rises unmarked inside the Real Madrid box, but the centre-back's header is wide of the post. Some opportunity that!

BOOKING! Pepe (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Enrich.

Eibar continue to threaten as Inui strikes one on the volley, but his effort was always straight into the arms of Navas, who has been the busier of the two goalkeepers in this second period.

PENALTY SHOUT! Another big penalty shout for Real Madrid as Ronaldo goes down inside the box under a challenge from Junca, but once again, the referee is not interested. Ronaldo is fuming!

Little over 25 minutes of football remaining and Eibar are still pressing for this equaliser. It is not too difficult to see why Eibar are enjoying a super season. Their high pressing is infectious!

REAL MADRID SUB! Lucas Vasquez replaces James for the away team.

Bale continues to look for Ronaldo with a series of crosses from wide positions, but the Portuguese has not really been able to influence this match with 68 minutes on the clock. You get the feeling that there is another goal in this game, but it really could come for either team.

EIBAR SUB! Verdi replaces Adrian for the home team.

CHANCE! Incredible chance for Real Madrid to score a second following a super pass from Vasquez, but after breaking into the box, Ronaldo hits the side netting with his strike!

Real Madrid would be more than happy to get over the line with a 1-0 win here, but they still have a lot of work to do if that is to be the case. Ronaldo will new desperate to get on the scoresheet after a frustrating afternoon thus far. As it stands, Bale's header separates the two teams here.

Ronaldo heads a Kroos corner wide of the post as the score remains 1-0 Real Madrid.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with both teams lacking that elusive pass in the final third. It has not been the best of games to be brutally honest!

BOOKING! Vasquez (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Junca.

Inui again shows good technique to meet a bouncing ball outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The overall set-piece quality from Eibar has been disappointing it must be said, with Berjon again delivering onto a Real Madrid head. Still 1-0 to the visitors here.

REAL MADRID SUB! Casemiro replaces Kovacic for the away side.

Real Madrid are finally awarded a spot kick as Dani Garcia brings Vasquez to the ground inside the box. It is perhaps a little harsh, but there was a touch and Ronaldo could make it 2-0 here...

... GOAL! Eibar 0-2 Real Madrid (Ronaldo, pen)

Ronaldo indeed gets his name on the scoresheet as the Portuguese waits for the goalkeeper to move and sends his effort into the opposite corner. That is game, set and match here.

Carvajal seems to have a problem for Real Madrid here as he hits the deck and stays there...

... REAL MADRID SUB! Karim Benzema replaces Carvajal.

EIBAR SUBS! Berjon and Enrich are replaced by Hajrovic and Arruabarrena.

Vasquez has gone into the right-back role for Real Madrid, while Benzema has gone to the tip of the attack ahead of Ronaldo and Bale. Not long left for the home side to save this match.

BOOKING! Escalante (Eibar) is booked for a late challenge on Modric just outside the box. Real Madrid have a wonderful chance to score a third goal here. Ronaldo to take of course...

... Ronaldo strikes straight into the wall and Eibar manage to clear their lines.

Three additional minutes to be played here.

Quite a scrappy end to this match as a number of late challenges harm the flow at both ends of the field. It is going to be a vital and much-needed three points for the away side here.

CLOSE! Benzema curls one just and I mean just wide of the post!

BOOKING! Verdi (Eibar) is booked for a late challenge on Modric.

So there we have it. The referee brings the match to a close with Real Madrid running out 2-0 winners. That result has moved Los Blancos to within six points of the league leaders Barcelona, but they remain third in the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!