Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as the Spanish champions Real Madrid welcome Espanyol. Barcelona's 3-0 victory over Las Palmas earlier this afternoon means that Real Madrid are currently 10 points off the league leaders, albeit with a game in hand. Another slip-up here could well mean curtains for their title challenge. Stay tuned for the action!

Real Madrid have won each of their last 10 meetings with Espanyol in all competitions, including 2-0 league victories home and away during the 2016-17 campaign. Incredibly, Los Blancos have scored 16 times in their last four league matches with Espanyol, conceding zero. Indeed, the last time that Espanyol stopped Real Madrid from winning was a 1-1 draw in Catalonia in May 2013.

Meanwhile, Espanyol have not beaten Real Madrid in the league since a 2-1 home win in October 2007. Worryingly for Espanyol, you have to go back to April 1996 to find the last time that they recorded a league victory at the Bernabeu. To suggest that the omens are not great for the visitors tonight would be a slight understatement to stay the very least. It could be a long night.

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Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Real Madrid were in Champions League action during the week – winning 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund – but Espanyol have had a free week to prepare for this fixture. Let's have a look at the two teams here...

TEAMS!

REAL: Navas; Achraf, Ramos, Varane, Nacho; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Ronaldo, Isco

ESPANYOL: Pau; S.Sanchez, David, Hermoso, Aaron; Roca, Darder, Fuego; Jurado; Baptistao, Gerard

The big team news for Real Madrid is that there is a La Liga debut for 18-year-old Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, who is handed a start due to the absences of Dani Carvajal (heart problem) and Marcelo (muscular injury) at the back. Meanwhile, Marco Asensio and Isco joined Cristiano Ronaldo in the final third as Gareth Bale (muscular injury) and Karim Benzema (hamstring) miss out once again.

As for Espanyol, Pablo Piatti misses out, which sees Marc Roca come into a team which includes both Gerard Moreno and Leo Baptistao in the final third of the field. It had been thought that one of the front pair would be dropped, but they are both in the XI. Sergio Garcia starts on the bench once again.

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So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Madrid. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. As mentioned, Los Blancos will enter this match 10 points behind league leaders Barcelona, who beat Las Palmas 3-0 earlier this afternoon to continue their 100% start.

While Barcelona have been flying in the early weeks of the campaign, Real Madrid have struggled. Zinedine Zidane's side opened their 2017-18 league season with a comfortable 3-0 win at Deportivo La Coruna, but were then held by Valencia (2-2) and Levante (1-1) in back-to-back home matches.

¡Hola equipo! 👋#RMLiga #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/p2taJlKT3S — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) October 1, 2017

Real Madrid did return to winning ways with a 3-1 success at Real Sociedad on September 17, but Zidane's side then incredibly lost 1-0 at home to Real Betis on September 20. Home form has been a real problem this season, but they won 2-1 at Alaves last weekend to ensure that they would just about stay in touch with Barcelona, but the Catalan side now have a 10-point advantage.

Los Blancos will enter this match off the back of a very impressive Champions League performance, however, with the Spanish giants winning 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, while Gareth Bale was also on the scoresheet as the European champions made it two wins from two matches at the start of their latest Champions League season.

In terms of what is to come for Real Madrid, they will resume league action after the international break with a trip to Getafe on October 14, before a key Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur on October 17. Then comes league games against Eibar and Girona, and by that point, Zidane's side will expect to be closer to runaway leaders Barcelona in the table.

1 - Achraf Hakimi will be the first Moroccan player to play for Real Madrid in La Liga in this century. Future. pic.twitter.com/hwem0PQuD4 — OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 1, 2017

As for Espanyol, a total of eight points from six matches has left the Catalan outfit in 14th position in the table - just two points clear of the bottom three. They opened their league season with a 1-1 draw against Sevilla, before suffering a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Leganes. Quique Sanchez's side were then thumped 5-0 at Barcelona, which left them with just one point from three matches.

Espanyol will enter this match off the back of a three-game unbeaten run, however, having beaten Celta Vigo, drawn with Villarreal and beaten Deportivo in their last three matches. Indeed, a 4-1 win over Deportivo last weekend was comfortably their best performance of the 2017-18 season.

Due to the international break, Espanyol will play just four times in October. Next up after this one is a home game against Levante on October 13, before visiting Real Sociedad and welcoming Real Betis before the end of the month. It would be some story if Espanyol could end their rotten run of form against Real Madrid with a result tonight. Kickoff at the Bernabeu is now just 10 minutes away!

3 - R Madrid have failed to win in their last 3 games at Bernabeu (D2 L1) - the last time they failed to win in 4 was in 2004 (L4). Defiance pic.twitter.com/cFnueIdNJ3 — OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 1, 2017

Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at the Bernabeu. Surely Real Madrid will record their first home league win of the season tonight. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates of what should be an entertaining game of football!

KICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off on home soil...

... SAVE! Stunning chance for Real Madrid to take the lead inside the first 20 seconds when Isco races into the Espanyol box, but the Spaniard cannot beat Pau Lopez!

Real Madrid have been guilty of missing countless chances on home soil this season, and that has already been the case tonight. That said, Real Madrid should create plenty of opportunities here.

Pau Lopez again denies Isco - this time with a more routine save.

Espanyol are just looking to hold on in these early moments as Real Madrid continue to force the issue. Kroos delivers the first corner of the match into the box, but Pau Lopez punches clear.

Espanyol are keeping Moreno and Baptistao high up the field, which is a brave tactic. That said, Valencia had a lot of success at the Bernabeu earlier this season by attacking Real Madrid. Still goalless with seven minutes on the clock, but it has been a bright opening to this league fixture.

Comfortable save for Pau Lopez as the Espanyol goalkeeper keeps out an effort from Ramos, which lacked power. Safe to say that the away side's stopper has been a busy man thus far tonight.

Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Real Madrid are the team on the front foot as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Espanyol, on the other hand, just cannot seem to get out of their own half at the moment. Still goalless with 11 minutes played.

Better from Espanyol in the last couple of minutes as they enjoy some possession in Real Madrid's half of the field, but Navas has been a spectator between the home side's sticks thus far tonight.

Asensio sits Aaron down in a wide position before delivering into the Espanyol box, but Lopez is on hand to clear. The visitors then look to break through Jurado, but he loses possession.

Espanyol would have wanted to get through the opening 20 minutes without conceding, and they are almost at that point. Aside from that early Isco chance, Real Madrid have not created much in the final third of the field. All in all, it has been a pretty good start from the away side tonight.

Hakimi has been nice and bright down the right for Real Madrid, with the debutant delivering a couple of dangerous crosses into the Espanyol box. The home side have just lacked that final pass in the opening 20 minutes, but it is pretty much one-way traffic in the capital at the moment.

Modric hits one from outside the Espanyol box, but his effort was always moving wide.

Hakimi looks to find Ronaldo with a sweeping pass from right to left, but the number seven cannot collect, and Espanyol regain control of the ball. Still goalless with 24 minutes on the clock here.

SAVE! Wonderful save from Pau Lopez to keep out a close-range Ramos header!

Baptistao looks to have a problem for Espanyol after taking an elbow from Ronaldo.

Isco drives to have a pop from outside the Espanyol box after another smart passing move, but Fuego makes the block. It is all Real Madrid in terms of intent and possession, but Espanyol have restricted the home side to few opportunities. Still goalless with 30 minutes on the clock here.

Real Madrid finally make the breakthrough in the 30th minute as Isco meets a cute pass from Ronaldo before poking the ball under the onrushing Espanyol goalkeeper!

CHANCE! Ronaldo misses the crossbar after a super pass from Asensio.

Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and Espanyol are struggling here as Real Madrid continue to force the issue. A second before the interval would be a killer blow to the visitors.

SAVE! Super save from Pau Lopez to keep out Ronaldo from close range!

Espanyol simply cannot keep the ball at the moment as Real Madrid continue to dominate.

BOOKING! Nacho (Real Madrid) is booked for pulling Baptistao to the deck.

Espanyol are almost just waiting to be beaten here. The score might only be 1-0, but the away side are offering nothing in the final third of the field. You do get the feeling that another goal for Real Madrid will be curtains in terms of this match. Little over five minutes of the first period left to play here.

Kroos delivers another dangerous corner into the Espanyol box, but Hermoso is on hand to make the clearance ahead of Ramos. The home side are searching for a second before the break.

Hermoso does really well once again as the Espanyol defender manages to jump higher than Ronaldo to clear a Kroos cross. Real Madrid remain on the front foot late in the first period.

POST! Gerard Moreno hits the post for Espanyol after the ball had broken for the striker inside the Real Madrid box! What a big moment in this football match!

Asensio fires into the arms of Pau Lopez when the pass to Ronaldo might have been the better option. Safe to say that Ronaldo was not too pleased with Asensio's choice there!

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Espanyol 1-0 courtesy of a strike from Isco, who registered in the 30th minute. The home side have dominated this football match for long spells, but Espanyol hit a post late in the first period.

STATS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 72%, while they had 13 attempts in the first period - six of which were on target. Espanyol, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their two attempts in the opening 45 minutes. Just the one yellow card to report - Nacho in the 36th minute.

BENCH WATCH! Diop, Sergio Garcia and Esteban Granero are among the attacking options on the Espanyol bench tonight, and it would not be a surprise to see at least two of those in the second period. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have the likes of Ceballos, Lucas and Mayoral on their bench here.

RESTART! Espanyol resume the action here...

... ESPANYOL SUBS! Sergio Garcia and Marc Navarro have both come off the Espanyol bench at the interval, with Jurado and Roca leaving the field. No changes for Real Madrid.

Good pressure from Real Madrid at the start of the second period, but Isco and Modric both have attempts blocked by the Espanyol defence. At 1-0, Espanyol will always be in this game, but a second would change the picture entirely. The home side are looking for a quick fire second.

Baptistao breaks into the Real Madrid box, but the striker does not make up his mind quick enough, and the home side can clear their lines. Espanyol have to be more ruthless in this game.

SAVE! Super save from Navas to prevent Navarro from finding the back of the net from inside the Real Madrid box! The home side were caught out at the back there.

Espanyol have been pretty negative for long spells of this match, but they have now had two brilliant chances to score tonight. Real Madrid are living dangerously in a defensive area.

Hakimi again shows nice feet in a wide area before attempting to deliver, but Aaron is on hand to clear behind. Still 1-0 Real Madrid with 55 minutes on the clock in the Spanish capital.

Half-chance for the visitors as Garcia delivers a dangerous cross towards Navarro, and the Spaniard is not too far away from making contact at the far post. Another good opening there!

This is much, much better from Espanyol, who are causing Real Madrid problems in the final third of the field. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, and the score is just 1-0 to the home side.

Modric misses the crossbar from distance as Real Madrid have a rare attempt in the second period. Not an awful lot happening for the home side at the moment, which is a bit of a concern.

Ronaldo meets a cross from Asensio, but Ramos, who had stayed forward from the back, is in an offside position. That just about sums up the home side in this second period. I wonder whether Zidane will be thinking about a change as we approach the final 25 minutes of football here.

Espanyol again break forward with Baptistao, but the Brazilian cannot find the pass into Moreno, who was free inside the Real Madrid box. Another dangerous moment for the home side.

BOOKING! Sanchez (Espanyol) is booked for a trip on Asensio.

Kroos guides one just wide of the Espanyol post as the score remains 1-0 Real Madrid here.

Espanyol defender Sanchez looks to have a problem as the number 24 holds his knee.

ESPANYOL SUB! Granero replaces Sanchez for the away side.

REAL MADRID SUB! Kroos is replaced by Lucas Vazquez.

CHANCE! Stunning chance for Espanyol as Moreno takes the ball away from Ramos before looking to feed Baptistao inside the Real Madrid box, but Varane somehow clears!

It is a cruel game! Real Madrid score their second of the match in the 71st minute as Isco collects a smart pass from Asensio before finding the bottom corner with a super finish!

Granero stands over a free kick outside the Real Madrid box, but the midfielder's delivery is too strong, and the home side can resume the action from the dead-ball line.

Ronaldo will be desperate to get his name on the scoresheet in the latter stages of this match, and I suspect that the number seven will have at least one big chance before the night is out.

BOOKING! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for a poor challenge on Aaron.

More frustration for Ronaldo as the ball runs away from the Portuguese at the final moment. Real Madrid might be winning 2-0, but Ronaldo is not pleased that he is not on the scoresheet here.

Modric has a long-range strike deflected wide of the Espanyol post.

Isco looks to find Lucas inside the Espanyol box, but the ball is just behind the Spaniard!

REAL MADRID SUB! Modric is replaced by Ceballos for the home side.

Wonderful challenge from Hermoso to deny Ronaldo a shot on goal, but the Real Madrid number seven is not too pleased with the tackle, and stays down off the field. Brilliant from Isco once again to release the number seven. Is Ronaldo going to get his goals in the latter stages?!

Quite a sloppy period of the match, with both teams guilty of losing possession. That second Isco goal killed off any hopes that Espanyol might have had of earning something from this game.

Ramos has had a few uncomfortable moments in the second period, but it does appear that Real Madrid are going to secure a clean sheet tonight. We are in the final minute of normal time here.

BOOKING! Aaron (Espanyol) is booked for a tug on Isco.

REAL MADRID SUB! Mayoral replaces Isco for the home side.

We are into the first of two minutes of added time here.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid recording a 2-0 win over Espanyol courtesy of a double from Isco. It was a long-overdue home league victory for Zidane's side! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!