Atletico Madrid head north to face Athletic Bilbao at San Mames in what will be the last La Liga game of 2014.
2014 was a rollercoaster year for Atletico. They won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup but losing in the Champions League Final to Real and this seasons league form will have been disappointing for Diego Simeone's men.
Atletico find themselves seven behind Real after last weekends loss at home to Villarreal. A win here and they will reduce the gap to four points heading into the new year as Real have been away on Club World Cup duty.
This is a must win game for Atletico and they will have to do it without some key players. Mario Mandzukic and Koke are suspended and Alessio Cerci and Cristian Ansaldi will miss out because of injury. Saul Niguez looks likely to come into the midfield in place of Koke with Raul Garcia partnering Antoine Griezmann in attack as Atleti look to end 2014 on a high.
Bilbao come into this game in good form with just one loss in their last eight games after losing five of their first seven. The Champions League campaign was a disappointment but they go into the Europa League and with the gap to fourth place already at eleven points Ernesto Valverde's men may prioritise the Europa League to try to gain qualification for next years Champions League.
Bilbao also have key players missing and will be without Andoni Iraola (injured), Ander Iturraspe (suspended) and Aymeric Laporte (suspended). Xabier Etxeita will come in for Laporte and Mikel Rico and Mikel San Jose look likely to start in centre midfield.
This looks like a close game between two good sides who will feel they are better than the league table currently suggests and they will be looking to finish the year on a high and go into the winter break in a positive mood.
Probable Lineups
Athletic Bilbao : Iraizoz; De Marcos, Etxeita, Gurpegui, Balenziaga; San Jose, Rico; Susaeta, Benat, Muniain; Aduriz.
Atletico Madrid : Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Siqueira; Saul, Tiago, Gabi, Arda; Garcia, Griezmann.