Good afternoon and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Spanish Liga clash between Real Madrid and Valencia. We'll bring you all the action from the Santiago Bernabeu. Kick off is at 3.15pm.

ORELLANA SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER! The former Celta Vigo attacker got in behind the Real Madrid backline, but he dragged his shot well wide of the target from inside the box.

That is certainly where the second string Real Madrid side have the advantage over the first choice team - they are much quicker and more dynamic on the rapid counter attack.

For the first time in the match Real Madrid have the opportunity to stretch their legs on the counter attack, but Benzema doesn't have the pace and the move breaks down quickly.

This has been a relatively subdued start to the match at the Santiago Bernabeu. Both teams are just feeling each other out at the moment, edging their way into the contest.

BENZEMA HEADER ON GOAL! That's Real Madrid's first effort on target, with Ronaldo swinging a cross to the back post. Benzema lept highest but his header is comfortably saved.

There's the first foul of the match from Casemiro, with the Brazilian bringing down Soler cynically on the halfway line. That's his specialist skill. That's what Zidane wants from him.

This has been a positive start to the match by Valencia. They have shown in these opening 10 minutes that they haven't just come to the Santiago Bernabeu to sit back. They want to attack.

James is starting this afternoon, with Isco on the bench for Real Madrid. That suggests Isco will start in the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid next week.

This has been a really strange start to the match by Real Madrid. They look vulnerable at the back, with a poor clearance from James this time putting them under pressure. Bizarre.

Nonetheless, Ronaldo and Benzema are back in the team this afternoon. Asensio has been dropped to the bench despite turning in one of his best displays of the season against Depor.

There's actually been quite a bit of debate in the Spanish press this week over who and what is the strongest Real Madrid side. They thumped Deportivo on Wednesday with no Ronaldo or Benzema.

Looking at Zidane's team selection, he has reverted back to his first choise side for this game after giving the second string a run out in the game against Deportivo during the week.

Well, that was almost a sensational start to the match by Valencia, coming within inches of taking the lead in the space of just a few seconds. Real Madrid need to compose themselves.

VALENCIA HIT THE POST! Alves' long clearance up the field releases Mina in behind the Real Madrid defence, but on the slide Mina could only strike the base of the post with his effort.

The match is under way at the Santiago Bernabeu! It's Real Madrid against Valencia.

TEAM NEWS: Real Madrid - Navas, Carvajal, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, James, Modric, Ronaldo, Benzema. /// Valencia - Alves, Montoya, Garay, Mangala, Lato, Parejo, Soler, Munir, Orellana, Nani, Mina.