Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Villarreal in what promises to be a fascinating battle. The hosts remain top of the table with a game in hand, but Villarreal have dropped off the pace in the battle for fourth in recent weeks.

Los Blancos were thumped 4-0 at Atletico Madrid earlier this month, but have since beaten Deportivo La Coruna and Elche to consolidate first position in the table. Barcelona beat Granada on Saturday, but Real Madrid are still top by one point with a game in hand. Their home form in the league this season has also been very strong – winning 10 of their 11 games. Can Villarreal upset the leaders here?

Villarreal, meanwhile, remain sixth, but they are now nine points off the top four. They went on a 10-game unbeaten run in the league earlier in the season, but have lost against Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano this month. The Yellow Submarine returned to winning ways last time out against Eibar, however, before securing their progress in the Europa League with a 3-1 victory at Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday.

TEAMS

REAL: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, SIlva, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo

VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Bailly, Dorado, Costa; Pina, Marcos, Gomez; Campbell, Moreno, Giovani

PREDICTION! Have a look at what I had to say about this match here...

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. No real surprises in the Real Madrid XI this evening, but it is very much a second-choice Villarreal side, with the Yellow Submarine having one eye on next week's Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona. Have they given up on this one? It certainly seems that way. Right, the home side get the first 45 minutes underway.

As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Lucas Silva and Toni Kroos exchanging passes in the middle of the park. You just get the feeling that Villarreal need to start well here. That said, the visitors have a very strong bench indeed.

Villarreal have not really had a sniff in the opening four minutes, with the home side in control. Bale looks for a sweeping pass into Carvajal, but the right-back just cannot collect in a forward area.

Giovani dos Santos has a half-chance for Villarreal after collecting a through pass from Gomez, but the Mexican was just about in an offside position. Decent opening for the visitors there.

It's good work from Costa as the Villarreal left-back drives past Carvajal, before winning a corner from the Spaniard. Gomez delivers the set piece, but it is a fairly comfortable header for Varane.

First sight of Ronaldo as Isco finds the Portuguese outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The home supporters are in really good voice tonight that is for certain.

Lucas Silva tries his luck for the home side after collecting a pass from Benzema, but his effort whistles wide of the post. One-way traffic at the moment, but there has not been a clear chance thus far.

Half-chance for Ronaldo as the Portuguese combines with Isco before attempting to beat Asenjo at his near post, but it is a fairly comfortable save for a goalkeeper of Asenjo's ilk. Still goalless here.

Villarreal have a free kick just outside the box as Pepe fells Campbell. Chance here...

... Giovani takes, but his effort is straight into the wall and behind for a corner.

CHANCES! Two stunning chances in quick succession for Villarreal! First, Moreno stays onside inside the box before bringing an excellent save from Casillas, before Carvajal heads Gomez's goal-bound effort wide of the post. Oh my word the visitors really, really should be ahead here!

Villarreal are not playing with any fear at the moment as they continue to force the issue in a wide area. It is a second-string Villarreal XI, but that is bringing more motivation at the moment!

Half-chance for the home side as Carvajal delivers a super cross towards Benzema, but the striker just cannot make enough contact and it goes behind for a goal kick. End-to-end football in Madrid.

Well, it is a case of 'so far, so good' for Villarreal tonight. They have had the best two chances of the match and restricted the home side to very little. A strong 18 minutes from the visitors here.

Bale attacks down the left for the home side, but Mario is across to make a fine challenge and gain a goal kick as it comes back off the Welshman. Frustration for the league leaders thus far tonight.

Bale is again involved for the home side as he pops up on the right before delivering, but it is excellent defending from Dorado, who clears ahead of both Ronaldo and Benzema. It is the away supporters making most of the noise at the moment as Mario breaks down the right and delivers.

Gomez is penalised for handball as Real Madrid force a free kick in a wide area.

Pepe meets the resulting free kick from Kroos, but the centre-back's header is high of the crossbar.

Possession football from Real Madrid as they continue to force the issue, but Los Blancos have not really threatened Asenjo in the Villarreal goal thus far. Still goalless with 26 minutes played.

Real Madrid have been a little untidy at the back thus far, but Villarreal must be credited for their high pressing in the final third. Bale remains a threat for the home side as he delivers again from the right, but Pina is across to clear the danger. Isco then fells Campbell, who was quickly on the break.

CHANCE! Just about the closest Real Madrid have come as Bale meets a corner from Kroos, but his header just drops wide of the post. Bale has been the most likely for the home side here.

Mario is down the right for Villarreal on another of his bright runs, but this time, the defender's low cross is cleared by Varane. It is a little bitty with 33 minutes on the clock at the Bernabeu.

CHANCE! Another super chance for the home side as Varane meets a corner from the left, but his header is also just wide of the post. Real Madrid are certainly getting closer here!

Bailly has a real problem for Villarreal here - a stretcher has been called.

Bailly indeed leaves the field on a stretcher and his involvement has been thrown into doubt. For now, Villarreal play on with 10 men, which is really not a comfortable position at the Bernabeu!

BOOKING! Gomez (Villarreal) is booked for a late challenge on Isco.

Bailly returns to the field following a period of treatment. Villarreal are back to 11 men here.

Marcelo attempts the spectacular for the home side after meeting a cross from Ronaldo, but it was always going to be a difficult finish and that proved the case as it trickled wide of the post.

Little under five minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, it has been low-key from the home side. Villarreal have had two golden chances and might feel that they should be ahead in Madrid.

CROSSBAR! Bale attempts to find Ronaldo at the far post, but his cross is too strong and eventually hits the crossbar before the danger is cleared. Still goalless at the Bernabeu.

Strong end to the half from Villarreal as Mario gains a corner from Marcelo down the right. The resulting set piece is delivered by Giovani, but Varane is up highest to clear the danger.

We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.

Real Madrid force a free kick all of 40 metres out as Campbell fells Kroos. Ronaldo to take...

... Ronaldo does indeed take the set piece, but it is high of the crossbar.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Both have had opportunities to open the scoring, but Villarreal have been comfortable for long spells. As it stands, Real Madrid will be just two points clear of second-place Barcelona after 25 games.

STATS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 66%, while they have had 12 attempts, but just one of those has been on target. Villarreal, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their four attempts thus far. Just the one booking here, with Villarreal's Gomez carded for a foul on Isco.

BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti does not have too much in the way of attacking options on his bench, but Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez are both available. Villarreal, however, have arguably three or four of their best players in reserve tonight, including leading scorer Luciano Vietto and key midfielders Jonathan dos Santos and Manu Trigueros. It depends how much Marcelino really believes that his side can win this match. Surely he has to go for it in the second half. We shall soon see!

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Villarreal stop Real Madrid from claiming all the points here? It is the visitors that resume the action in Madrid.

No changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will take place if the score remains goalless for the next 15, 20 minutes here.

Good pressure from the home side in the early stages of the second period, with Isco and Bale threatening in wide areas. Villarreal, as a unit, have defended very well this evening though.

CHANCE! Ronaldo has the opportunity to send Real Madrid ahead after finding space inside the box, but his effort is saved by Asenjo, who has been confident in his work tonight.

BOOKING! Bailly (Villarreal) is booked for pulling Ronaldo to the ground inside the box. He had his arms all over the attacker and it is the correct decision from the referee.

Never in doubt - Ronaldo strokes his penalty into the top corner to send Los Blancos ahead.

Villarreal would have wanted to keep it tight in the opening 10 or 15 minutes of the second period, but it was a poor mistake from Bailly and now the home side are really comfortable in possession.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Ronaldo to score a second in quick succession, but Asenjo is out to deny the attacker with a super save. Excellent goalkeeping from the Spaniard.

CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Ronaldo sets up Bale inside the box, but the Welshman fires high and wide of the crossbar. Poor finish from Bale there!

Ronaldo is really in the mood now as he strikes one from outside the box, but it was always bending wide of the post. The Portuguese has been really excellent since the interval here.

Half-chance for the away side as Costa arrives unmarked at the far post following a deep free kick, but his effort whistles wide of the post. Villarreal are still very much in this game that is for certain.

Real Madrid have a free kick just outside the box as Marcelo is chopped down by Costa...

... Ronaldo takes the free kick, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.

SUB! Villarreal make a double change as Vietto and Trigueros replace Giovani and Pina.

Real Madrid remain on the front foot as Carvajal finds space in a wide area, but his cross is straight into the arms of Asenjo. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining at the Bernabeu tonight.

What a super goal that is! Villarreal level the scores with 64 minutes on the clock as Moreno combines with Vietto before firing one into the bottom corner. No chance for Casillas to react!

Real Madrid have more than enough time to find a second goal here, but Villarreal will also feel that they can score another on the counter. We are shaping up for a fascinating conclusion in Madrid.

Marcelo appears to have a problem for the hosts after injuring himself by challenging Campbell.

SUB! Villarreal make their third change as Jonathan dos Santos replaces Marcos.

CHANCE! Another stunning chance for Ronaldo as the Portuguese holds off Bailly before striking on goal, but Asenjo makes another stunning save. The Villarreal stopper has been excellent here.

BOOKING! Costa (Villarreal) is booked for blocking Bale.

CHANCE! Opportunity for Benzema to regain the lead for Real Madrid as the Frenchman meets a free kick from Kroos, but his header is too high. Excellent chance for the striker to find the back of the net.

SAVE! Oh my good grief what a save! Stunning goalkeeping from Asenjo as the Villarreal stopper denies Ronaldo, who had met a cross from Bale. What a performance from Asenjo!

SUB! Real Madrid make their first change as Jese replaces Lucas Silva.

Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and you just get the feeling that there is a winner in this game. Real Madrid are pressing forward, but Villarreal have fresh legs in the final third.

Campbell tries his luck for the away side after finding some space outside the box, but his curling effort was always moving away from goal. Real Madrid are down the other end moments later, but Asenjo manages to palm clear a dangerous cross from Jese. End-to-end football in Madrid.

BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Moreno.

CHANCE! Incredible chance for Villarreal as Vietto races through on goal following a poor mistake from Varane, but he loses his footing and Pepe is back to clear. Oh what an opportunity!

SUB! Real Madrid make their second change as Illarramendi replaces Isco.

BOOKING! Asenjo (Villarreal) has been booked for time-wasting.

Villarreal look just as likely to win this as Real Madrid at the moment as both sides continue to commit numbers in the final third. Ronaldo strikes one from a wide angle, but it is wide of Asenjo's post.

SUB! Third change for the home side as Hernandez replaces Benzema.

This has been a super advert for La Liga football there is no question about that. Villarreal are the team on the front foot at the moment as Costa continues to threaten in a wide area.

CHANCE! Super, super defending from Mario as the Villarreal skipper just manages to clear ahead of Ronaldo, who looked certain to head a Bale cross into the top corner.

CHANCE! Stunning chance for the home side as Asenjo makes a meal of a deep cross - presenting the ball to Jese in a wide area, but his effort is wide of the post. It was an open goal!

CHANCE! Stunning chance for Villarreal this time as Moreno delivers a super cross towards Vietto, who flicks a header towards the bottom corner, but Casillas is down to make the save.

PENALTY SHOUT! Hernandez goes down inside the penalty area under pressure from Bailly, but the referee is not interested. I have seen them given that is for certain!

BOOKING! Trigueros (Villarreal) is booked for a late challenge on Kroos.

Bale delivers an excellent cross towards the near post, but Bailly is across to make the clearance as Real Madrid continue to force the issue. Is there to be one more big chance in Madrid?

We are into the first minute of three added here.

POST! Costa turns against his own post from close range as Real Madrid continue to threaten.

CHANCE! Stunning chance for Ronaldo as Marcelo picks out the forward at the far post, but Ronaldo is up too early and heads over the crossbar. What an opportunity there!

Desperate defending from Villarreal as they camp outside their own box.

Incredible result for Villarreal as they hold the league leaders to a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid are still top, but now just by two points. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action!