Atletico Madrid host Valencia on Sunday evening at the Vicente Calderón with the sides separated by just two points in third and fourth place in La Liga.

Both sides have been good defensively this season with only Barcelona conceding less than Atletico's twenty-two goals and Valencia's twenty-one goals. The sides are also La Liga's third and fourth highest scorers behind Real Madrid and Barcelona with Atletico on fifty goals and Valencia on forty-five goals.

Atletico have hit a bad run of form since their 4-0 win over Real Madrid four weeks ago. They have won just one of their four fixtures since and lost to Celta Vigo and Bayer Leverkusen. However, their home form is good with eleven wins, a draw and just one defeat in their thirteen home league games.

Valencia are in superb form having won six of their last seven games including a run of four successive victories. A win here would see them leap frog Atletico into third place in La Liga but defeat wouldn't be a disaster as they currently hold a four point advantage over Sevilla in the race for a place in next season's Champions League which remains the main objective for Nuno Espirito Santo's side.

Valencia go to Madrid with a full squad at their disposal but things aren't so straight forward for the hosts. Diego Simeone's side will be without Miranda and Antoine Griezmann through suspension and Saul Niguez due to injury. Gimenez will replace Miranda at centre back and Fernando Torres should partner Mario Mandzukic in attack with Griezmann absent.

Both sides will be well aware of how important this game could be. As things stand both are well placed to qualify for Champions League football next season but the team who finishes third will go straight into the group stages while the fourth place team will have to participate in a qualifying round.

Home advantage possibly makes Atletico favourites but Valencia are in better form so it looks like we are in for a cracker on Sunday evening.

Probable Teams

Atletico Madrid - Moya; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Siqueira; Arda, Gabi, Tiago, Koke; Torres, Mandzukic.

Valencia - Alves; Barragan, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gaya; Parejo, Javi Fuego, Enzo Perez; Feghouli, Negredo, Piatti.

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About the author
Gerry Johnston
Cover Spanish and Italian football for VAVEL UK.