Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome Almeria. Both sides are in desperate need of the points, but for very different reasons. It is almost a case of win-or-bust for Real Madrid as Barcelona recorded yet another victory last night.

First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Madrid.

TEAMS:

REAL: Navas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Varane, Coentrao; Kroos, Illarra, James; Jese, Hernandez, Ronaldo

ALMERIA: Ruben; Ximo, Trujillo, Mauro, Dubarbier; Thomas, Verza; Edgar, Corona, Mane; Hemed

So there we have it. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has made five changes to his XI this evening, with Keylor Navas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Pepe, Fabio Coentrao and Jese Rodriguez all starting. Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are all still on the sidelines, while Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal are both suspended. There is also a spot on the bench for 16-year-old Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard.

© Getty Images

Almeria, meanwhile, are without both Thievy Bifouma and Wellington Silva through suspension, but Sebastian Dubarbier has now served his ban. Fernando Soriano, Michel and Fran Velez remain on the sidelines through injury, but Corona and Verza both start in what is an experienced midfield.

Real Madrid extended their winning streak to 20 games in all competitions when they beat Almeria 4-1 in the reverse match earlier this season. Los Blancos also put four goals past Almeria at the Bernabeu last season and have scored an incredible 21 goals in their last four league games against their opponents this evening. To be blunt, the omens are not particularly good for Almeria tonight!

Real Madrid have won each of their last five league games since losing to Barcelona, but they are once again five points behind the league leaders Barcelona, who hammered Getafe 6-0 on Tuesday. A strong run of form in the league has kept their title challenge alive, but Real Madrid will more than likely need to rely on a favour from their great rivals Atletico Madrid in the penultimate round of fixtures.

In total, Real Madrid have won 26 of their 33 league games thus far, drawing just once and losing six times. Unsurprisingly, they have been very strong at home – winning 14 of their 16 games and losing just once. The further five defeats have come on the road, which has been their Achilles heel.

Almeria, meanwhile, should enter the game full of confidence after moving out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Eibar at the weekend. They are only two points clear of 18th-place Deportivo La Coruna, however, and still have the likes of Sevilla and Valencia to come.

© Getty Images

Three of Almeria's final four league games are at home, but they have only recorded three home victories all season. That said, under new boss Sergi Barjuan, they have won each of their two home fixtures. They have won five league games on their travels, meanwhile, but lost each of their last five on the road – scoring just one goal in the process. Right, kickoff is imminent in the Spanish capital.

PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it very difficult to make a case for the away side this evening. I can see them nicking a goal at some point, but Real Madrid should prove far too strong, despite their (somewhat) under-strength team. Javier Hernandez to score in a 3-1 home victory tonight.

Time for a moment's reflection to remember those that perished in the tragedy in Nepal...

Here we go then. It is must-win for Real Madrid - well they all are at the moment! Barcelona just will not let up at the top of the La Liga table. The home side get the first 45 minutes underway here.

As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes at the Bernabeu, but a sloppy touch from Arbeloa allows Almeria to win a throw down the left.

It has been a decent start from Almeria, with Thomas dictating the possession in the middle of the park. Edgar Mendez finds space between the lines following good work down the left, but the ball had just gone out of play. Real Madrid have a half-chance when Illarramendi delivers a dangerous cross towards Ronaldo, but it is just too strong for the Portuguese. Good tempo to the early moments.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid to take the lead as Arbeloa picks out the head of James from the right, but his effort is just wide of the post. Probably should have scored.

It is a cracking game for the neutral at the moment, with both teams committing players in the final third. Ronaldo comes close to collecting a flick from Hernandez, but the Portuguese cannot move the ball into his path and the danger is cleared. The signs are that we will have goals in the capital.

SAVE! Ronaldo bursts into the Almeria box before releasing a strike, but Ruben is down to make a smart save. From the resulting corner, Ronaldo's header clears the crossbar. Still goalless.

Possession football from the home side in the last couple of moments, but Almeria have plenty of energy in defensive areas and have done a good job of closing the space thus far tonight.

Half-chance for the home side as Coentrao sneaks into the Almeria box before trying his luck from a difficult angle, but Ruben is out to make the save. One-way traffic at the moment in Madrid.

Almeria are a threat in this game, with Mane playing just ahead of Dubarbier down the left and the pair have caused problems thus far. Verza, Corona and Thomas have also been nice and tidy.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes and it is a case of 'so far, so good' for Almeria. Corona tries his luck from outside the box and gains a corner from Coentrao, but the resulting set piece is cleared by Hernandez. No real sign of the Real Madrid counter thus far.

Mane is next to try his luck for Almeria, but his effort curls wide of Navas's post.

Not too much happening for Real Madrid at the moment, with Almeria fairly comfortable in dealing with the threat that is arriving. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be vital tonight.

Slightly untidy work from Thomas as the Almeria midfielder, who is on loan from Atletico, loses possession before fouling Kroos. Real Madrid take a quick free kick, but nothing occurs as Jese fails to move past Ximo in a wide position. The home supporters are getting a little restless already!

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Almeria as Thomas does wonderfully well to create space and slide a pass into Dubarbier, but the Argentine completely fluffs his lines! Wow! Super work from Thomas.

Thomas is running this game from the Almeria midfield at the moment, with the 21-year-old again winning possession before finding Mendez, but the Spaniard's cross from a wide area is poor.

Real Madrid are straight down the other end with Jese, who delivers a super pass towards Ronaldo, but the Portuguese cannot make contact and it goes out for a throw. Still goalless at the Bernabeu.

Penalty shout for the home side as Illarramendi goes down inside the box, but there was no contact and it is the correct decision from the referee. It has been a frustrating 27 minutes for the hosts.

Ronaldo lines up a free kick as Mendez brings the forward to the ground...

... Ronaldo fires one towards the top corner, but it was always moving over the crossbar.

Not too much happening for the home side at the moment as the Almeria defence continue to deal with everything that is occurring in front of them. Frustration for Real Madrid thus far tonight.

Half-chance for the home side on the counter as Hernandez races down the left before attempting to feed Ronaldo, but it is deflected into the arms of Ruben, who has been fairly comfortable thus far.

Real Madrid force another free kick in a decent area as Ximo brings Hernandez to the ground. Once again it is Ronaldo that stands over the set piece. Will it be second time luck for the Portuguese...

... no, straight into the stands. Pretty much sums up Real Madrid's first half thus far.

Almeria are working very hard at the moment, with all three of their midfielders playing a key role. Real Madrid are still the more threatening, but clear chances have been few and far between. In truth, if Real Madrid are to remain in the title race, then they need to pick up all three points tonight.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments following a number of late challenges. There has still not been a single booking thus far though.

Almeria have been really, really good thus far tonight. Plenty of incisive passing and movement off-the-ball. It has been a great opening 41 minutes. The same cannot be said for Real Madrid, who are really struggling to get anything going in the final third. Ruben has been so comfortable here.

Just a reminder that Martin Odegaard is on the bench for Real Madrid this evening. Will the 16-year-old be introduced at some point? Pressurised situation! Still goalless as we approach the interval.

Almeria's goalkeeper Ruben surely would not have ever imagined to have a half this comfortable at the Bernabeu. There is just nothing happening for Real Madrid and time is almost up in this half.

Oh my goodness me what a strike. Real Madrid take the lead in the 44th minute as James hammers one, on the volley, into the top corner. It is an exceptional hit and Ruben had no chance at all!

It is so cruel on Almeria, but James's wonderful strike sees Real Madrid lead at the interval. In truth, it has been a poor first period from the home side, but a hero has stepped forward. As it stands, they will be moving two points behind Barcelona once again. Can Almeria respond in the second half?

STATS! The home side have just about shaded the possession with 56%, while they have had eight attempts - three of which have been on target. Almeria, however, have not yet hit the target, but have had a couple of good chances. It was a very even first 45 minutes at the Bernabeu.

BENCH WATCH! As mentioned, Real Madrid have 16-year-old midfielder Martin Odegaard on their bench this evening, while Spanish forward Mayoral, who has been making waves with the youth team, is also available alongside Isco, Marcelo and Lucas Silva. Almeria boss Barjuan, meanwhile, has the likes of Azeez, Zongo and Espinosa in reserve. Will we see any changes at the interval in Madrid?

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Almeria find a route back into this game? It is the visitors that get the second 45 minutes of action underway.

No changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur, for both teams, as the second period develops in the Spanish capital.

Not too much to get excited about in the early stages of the second half, with Almeria still comfortable in possession of the ball. They did not deserve to concede before the break, but they must now remain focused. A second goal for the home side would probably end the contest.

And there is the second goal. Real Madrid stretch their lead to 2-0 as Kroos sets up Ronaldo, who cannot miss from close range. It was a super move that also involved the excellent James.

Almeria just need to be careful that they do not take a hiding as Real Madrid continue to flood forward. This could quickly become 3-0 or 4-0, which would not help the away side's confidence.

Not too much for Almeria going forward at the moment - Hemed attempts to deliver into Mendez, but Navas is out to collect. The visitors had plenty of men in the final third, but no end product.

The second Real Madrid goal has been officially ruled as a Mauro dos Santos own goal.

Almeria force a free kick in a decent position as James brings Mendez to the ground. The Colombian won the ball for me, but the referee seemed sure. Chance for the visitors to threaten here...

... Corona delivers towards Hemed, but Pepe manages to scramble behind. Excellent free kick.

Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes, but Almeria are giving it a real go in the final third, which is creating space for Real Madrid. Still 2-0 with 58 played.

SUB! Almeria make their first change as Zongo replaces Mendez.

If Almeria can register then the nerves inside the stadium would be unbearable, but a third for Real Madrid would surely secure all the points. It is still very nicely poised at the Bernabeu this evening.

Zongo has the chance to break down the right for Almeria, but the striker cannot find a teammate and he hits the side netting when Verza was the better option. Another change for the visitors...

SUB! Almeria make their second change as Espinosa replaces Thomas.

SUBS! Double change for Real as Isco and Silva replace James and Illarramendi.

SUB! Almeria make their third change as Azeez replaces Verza.

CHANCE! Real Madrid come close to a third as Varane meets a corner from Kroos, but his header just drops wide of the post. So close to the Frenchman's first league goal of the season!

Half-chance for the home side as Ronaldo places a low cross towards Hernandez, but Dos Santos is on hand to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that there will be another goal in this one.

Isco shows wonderful feet to dance into the Almeria box, but the Spaniard is crowded out at the vital moment and Almeria break down the other end. Will Odegaard be given his debut tonight?

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score a third as Ronaldo fires a cross into Hernandez, but the Mexican's effort is just wide of the post. Almeria just about still in it...

BOOKING! Coentrao (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Navarro.

Half-chances at either end. First, Ronaldo has a shot blocked following good work from Isco, before Hemed slips inside the Real Madrid box under little pressure. It remains 2-0 at the Bernabeu.

Almeria have the chance to break down the left with Dubarbier, but the Argentine cannot find a teammate inside the box and Real Madrid can clear their lines. Still no sign of Odegaard here!

CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Ronaldo races into the Almeria box before using Hernandez as a decoy, but his final effort is high of Ruben's crossbar.

Truth be told, this has not been an impressive performance from the home side, but they are close to recording another win - their sixth successive victory in the league. It is all about results at this stage.

Real Madrid have their third of the evening as Hernandez collects a pass from Isco before squaring for Arbeloa, who cannot miss from close range. That is game, set and match at the Bernabeu.

SUB! Real Madrid make their third change as Nacho replaces Varane.

Not too much to report in terms of chances as we approach the final moments in the Spanish capital. Almeria have given a lot in this game, but they are going to take nothing for their efforts tonight.

Isco scoops a deep cross into the Almeria box, but Dos Santos rises to clear ahead of Ronaldo, before the latter heads over the crossbar moments later. Has not really been Ronaldo's night this evening!

We are into the first of two added minutes at the Bernabeu.

Isco pokes wide from a Jese cross and that should be just about that.

So there we have it. Real Madrid once again move two points behind the league leaders Barcelona with a 3-0 win over struggling Almeria. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!