Good evening and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Spanish league clash between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid. We'll bring you all the action and goals as they go in at the Anoeta. Kick-off: 19:00.

It looks to me as though Real Madrid are taking too many touches when they move into the final third. They need to make the most of the pace they have and get into dangerous positions faster.

Considering the attacking talent Real Madrid have on the pitch it's remarkable that they haven't created a single goalscoring opportunity in these opening 30 minutes. Also testament to Sociedad's defending.

Interesting to hear the reception Illarramendi is getting every time he touches the ball. Of course, he moved from Sociedad to Real Madrid in the summer.

Just to reiterate, Real Madrid need a win here tonight. They're currently six points off the top of La Liga. A draw would only take them to within five points. You'd think that would rule them out of the title race.

Looking at the bench, Ancelotti doesn't really have many other options. By Real Madrid's high standards it's quite an inexperienced and young bench. How does he change things?

With no Ronaldo, Bale lines up a freekick from 25 yards but he smashes his shot straight into the centre of the wall. We've come to expect better from the most expensive player in the world.

Real Madrid look slightly rattled at the moment. Bale and Isco have seen hardly any of the ball, and Real Sociedad are well organised at the back. Can they use set pieces to find a way through?

Sociedad have a real threat in attack when they use Griezmann and Vela. The two of them are always difficult to track, especially when they exchange positions constantly throughout the game.

Indeed, Real Madrid are struggling to break down the Sociedad defence. They're missing Ronaldo and his directness. They need Bale to step up.

Remember, as recently as February Barcelona came here and were beaten 3-1 by Sociedad. This is a very difficult test for Real Madrid and it's turned out that way in these opening 20 minutes or so.

So close! Vela plays a chipped ball into Griezmann, who is making a run across the goal. But his flicked on header flashes just over the bar and lands on top of Lopez's net. That would have been some goal!

Carvajal is pushing higher and higher up the pitch not that he doesn't have Angel on top of him. The Real Madrid right back wins a corner kick for his team, but it doesn't amount to anything.

We can only assume Angel has been withdrawn due to injury. He's been quite prominent in this first half, and now he's been replaced by Ansotegi, who is more of a centre back. Let's see how this works.

Oh dear. Pepe breaks from the back, crossing the halfway line. But then he gets a bit too excited and decides to shoot at goal. In the end it flies over the bar, somewhat unsurprisingly. Benzema looks round at his teammate and laughs.

Real Sociedad sub: Jose Angel OFF, Jon Ansotegi ON.

It's very congested in the middle of the pitch, but that means that when the ball is worked out of that area there's loads of space to break into. It's making for a very compelling contest.

What a save! Lopez somehow manages to save Vela's shot from about three yeards but the flag is up for offside. That would have been a sensational save. The flick on at the near post from Griezmann was good, too.

A freekick from a deep position causes mayhem in the Real Madrid after taking a deflection off Benzema, but Los Blancos hook the ball away under pressure.

Isco looks to be through on goal after being slotted through by Benzema, but just as he prepares to take his shot the linesman's flag is raised. Looking at replays, he was a good yard onside when the ball was played.

Isco swings a corner kick delivery into the box looking for Bale, but it's cleared by Gonzalez and Sociedad come forward on the counter attack. Real Madrid are struggling to break them down.

In Ronaldo's absence Real Madrid also need Bale to step up. He's had a good first season, scoring a goal every other game on average, but he needs to be the main man for Real Madrid here.