Afternoon all. So, try as they have over the last 37 games to keep pace with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, the La Liga title is out of reach as far as Real Madrid are concerned. It means that there is little riding on this clash against Espanyol, although there are places in the side that takes on Atletico in the Champions League final next weekend to play for.

While they are out of the title race, Carlo Ancelotti's team selection suggests that he is taking this game incredibly seriously...

REAL XI: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Illarra, Khedira; Di Maria, Bale, Ronaldo; Benzema

REAL SUBS: Jesus, Casemiro, Nacho, Arbeloa, Modric, Morata, Isco

The big and welcome news for Real is that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have been passed fit to feature at the Bernabeu. The duo will form part of an attacking trio with Karim Benzema, although there are alterations elsewhere. Luka Modric is on the bench, while Xabi Alonso has been left out altogether, which has presented opportunities to Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi in midfield. At the back, French youngster Raphael Varane will partner Sergio Ramos.

And now for visiting Espanyol's starting lineup...

ESPANYOL XI: Casilla; Colotto, Moreno, Fuentes, Lopez; Simao, Sanchez, Abraham, Lopez, Garcia; Stuani

ESPANYOL SUBS: German, Rodriguez, Sidnei, Pizzi, Alex, Cordoba, Torje

Romanian winger Gabriel Torje has been dropped down to the bench for this fixture, with Abraham being promoted into the midfield in his place. Elsewhere, former Barcelona winger Simao is handed a wide berth, while Diego Colotto, who scored last time out against Osasuna, has kept his place in defence.

So, what are the chances of an Espanyol win then? Well, the bookmakers are offering odds of around 10/1 and here is why:

14 - Real Madrid have won 14 and lost none of their last 17 home league games against Espanyol (D3). Homely — OptaJose (@OptaJose) May 17, 2014

And here are yet more statistics that do not bode too well for those of an Espanyol persuasion.

Check out all the key stats of #RealMadridEspanyol. #halamadrid pic.twitter.com/lCqrPqeWUP — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) May 17, 2014

It's certainly a pleasant afternoon for those that are in the Bernabeu. The sun is out and no doubt they will be hoping (demanding) that their team ends the domestic campaign on a high note, particularly with the Champions League final in Lisbon to come.

Oh dear, this doesn't look good with the Champions League final in mind:

Breaking: Cristiano Ronaldo pulls out of the warm-up and Isco comes into Real Madrid's XI to face Espanyol — AS English (@English_AS) May 17, 2014

KICKOFF! Here we go then! Hosting Madrid, minus Ronaldo, get the action underway at a sun-drenched Bernabeu.

Nothing too much to report from the opening few minutes. As you'd expect, Real are dominating the possession, but are yet to test Casilla in the away net.

Incidentally, Ronaldo's withdrawal means that he is likely to share the European Golden Boot award with Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. Both players have 31 goals to their names in their respective leagues and can only be beaten by Lionel Messi. For that to happen, the Barcelona star will need to score a hat-trick or more against Atletico Madrid.

First sign of Bale this afternoon as Benzema threads a pass through to the Welshman on the edge of the area. There is a bit too much pace on the ball, though, and it runs through to Casilla, who claims with ease.

And again Bale is involved as the ball is worked out to him on the left flank. However, his cross is more troubling to those in the crowd behind the goal rather than the Espanyol defenders. A groan of disapproval reverberates around the Bernabeu.

CHANCE! That's a better cross from Madrid full-back Marcelo, which is curled all the way towards the back post. It appears that Benzema has a simple header to break the deadlock, but the France international gets caught out by the flight of the ball and can only guide his effort wide of the target from six yards out. Replays showed that he was offside, so had the ball gone in, he may have been flagged anyway.

Bale really has been heavily involved so far. On this occasion he tries his luck from distance with a swerving shot that has Casilla concerned for a moment until the ball drifts wide of the left post.

For all the attacking talent that Madrid possess, it's their full-back Marcelo that is causing the most problems. Time and again he has raided down the left flank and so far Espanyol haven't found a way to stop him. He's just forced a corner, which sees Ramos's toe-poked effort cleared by Casilla.

We are 24 minutes into this contest and by my reckoning, Madrid goalkeeper Casillas has touched the ball once when he received a pass back from Khedira! Put it this way, attacking doesn't appear to be high up the away side's priority list.

CHANCE! Ramos has ended this season in fine form in front of goal and he almost carried it on. The ball dropped kindly for him on the edge of the box, with the defender opting to strike a half-volley at the first time of asking. Casilla scampered across his line towards his left post, but in the end he was able to watch the ball roll an inch or two wide of the target.

SAVE! How an earth has Benzema not put Madrid in the lead? Having weaved his way beyond three challenges inside the area, the striker tempted Casilla off his line. He then created enough space for a shot eight yards from goal, but just as his effort appeared bound for the back of the net, Casilla stuck up a hand at the final moment to divert the ball over the crossbar.

Another attack from Marcelo and once again the Brazilian's cross into the box causes problems. Isco was lurking at the back post, but a retreating Fuentes was alert enough to head the ball behind for a Madrid corner, which came to nothing in the end.

It's understandable given that neither side has anything to play for, but this match really does have a friendly feel about it. Espanyol seem like they would rather be on a beach somewhere, while Madrid are struggling to break them down.

CHANCE! All of a sudden, the away team spring into life and go ever so close to scoring the game's first goal. The ball is cut back for Simao 10 yards from goal. His shot is heading goalwards, but a sliding challenge from Carvajal sends the effort behind for a corner, with Casillas in goal flat-footed and appearing to be well beaten.

No injury time to be played as far as the referee is concerned as he brings an end to what was a largely uneventful opening 45 minutes in the Spanish capital.

There isn't too much that Ancelotti can say to his Madrid players during the break. They've had virtually all of the possession and have worked some decent openings, but they haven't been able to find a way beyond Kiko Casilla in the away side's net. Having said that, the likes of Di Maria and Benzema have been relatively quiet, so he could well demand more from his attacking players. Marcelo, from left-back, has posed the biggest threat.

As for Espanyol, it's a case of so far so good. They seem to have set up to claim a 0-0 draw and right now that is what they've got. It's not making for a great spectacle, but with the gulf in class that exists between the two teams, it's understandable why they have set up that way.

So, what can Real do to make the breakthrough? Who could change it from the bench? Modric may well be an option under consideration because he can set the tempo from midfield, while young striker Alvaro Morata offers a more physical presence in attack. If they do not score within the opening 15 or 20 minutes of the second half, we could well see both of those enter the action.

RESTART! Espanyol get proceedings back underway at the Bernabeu with the score level at 0-0.

Hosts Madrid force an early corner as Di Maria's shot is deflected wide, but once again Casilla comes off his line to end the danger. The 27-year-old has had a very positive game between the posts so far.

SAVE! At last Casillas has had a save to make and it's a good one as well! Lopez's races through to go one on one with the Madrid skipper, who spreads his body well on the edge of the area to block the shot. For all the defending that they've done, you could argue that Espanyol have carved out the two best chances.

CHANCE! Meanwhile, up the other end, Madrid hit the net, but it's the side rather than the back. Isco's shot is well charged down and when the ball drops for Di Maria, he has no hesitation in shooting instantly, despite the narrow angle. There is plenty of power in his strike, but it's not troubling Casilla.

Following that bright start to the half, the match has now taken the same path as it did for the majority of the first half. Madrid are having virtually all of the ball, but do not look overly threatening. Espanyol, meanwhile, are content to defend.

CHANCE! As Espanyol are so deep, it's allowed Ramos to play as a third midfielder at times. He's making the most of it as well and has just tried his luck from 20 yards out, but the ball flies over the top.

Espanyol keeper Casilla has been on top form today, but he could do little to prevent Bale from breaking the deadlock. The £100m man is released by Benzema and with his pace, he is easily away from the defenders. That leaves him with just Casilla to beat from 10 yards out and he does so with great composure to slot his shot across the stopper and into the far corner of the net.

CHANCE! This is one where you have to rub your eyes in disbelief - how are Espanyol not level? Madrid are caught napping following their goal and when the ball is prodded through for an unmarked Simao, it looks easier to score than miss. The Portuguese winger somehow does the latter, though, with a shot from eight yards out that drifts wide of goal. What a chance.

REAL SUBS: Not good news for Madrid because striker Benzema has just exited the action with what looks to be a groin complaint. He may now face a race against time to be fit for next week's Champions League final. He's been replaced by Morata, while Modric is on for Khedira.

ESPANYOL SUBS: There has also been a flurry of changes from Espanyol, as Aguirre makes all three of his permitted switches in quick succession. Off come Simao, Abraham and Sanchez and they are replaced by Pizzi, Alex and Cordoba.

Now Ramos is limping for Madrid with a knee problem. He's continuing at the moment, but it must be a worry for Ancelotti.

What a waste from Cordoba, who initially did ever so well to break away from Marcelo down the right flank. He then works his way towards the byline, but with three teammates in the box, his low cross goes straight to Varane, who clears with minimal fuss. A better cross and Espanyol could well have been level.

To be fair to Espanyol, they've been more positive in the last 10 minutes or so. It seems that they are not just content to settle for a 1-0 defeat. It's leaving them open to the counter-attack, but better that than slumping to a routine loss.

Game, set and the match Madrid as they use that aforementioned counter-attack to devastating effect. Di Maria outpaces the visiting defence down the right, before getting his head up to pick out Morata all alone inside the area. Casilla also gives up the ghost as the Madrid substitute rolls the ball into an unguarded net.

Hold your horses because Espanyol have pulled one back late on. It's not too dissimilar to Madrid's second goal as Pizzi slides in unmarked at the back post to halve the deficit. Can they claim an unlikely draw? They have three minutes of stoppage time to do so.

No, they can't seal the comeback because Morata has his second of the afternoon. Di Maria breaks through the Espanyol rearguard, before once again rolling the ball into the path of a grateful Morata, who slots his shot inside the near post.

There goes the final whistle and although they haven't won the title, the La Liga season ends on a high note for Real Madrid. Their attention will now turn to Lisbon a week today.

That is all we have time for from the Bernabeu. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.