Off the back of eye-catching victories at the weekend, Atletico Madrid and Cadiz prepare to lock horns in Wednesday's La Liga affair at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Diego Simeone's side ran out 5-2 winners over Real Valladolid last time out, while their visitors downed Valencia 2-1 to move ever closer to safety.
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On a weekend where Tottenham Hotspur came back from 3-0 down to draw Liverpool level at 3-3 in the Premier League - before ultimately suffering defeat - Atletico very nearly shared the same fate when they travelled to Valladolid, storming into a commanding lead through Nahuel Molina, Jose Gimenez and Alvaro Morata.
Cyle Larin and Sergio Escudero made things interesting as the hosts threatened an astonishing fightback, but an unfortunate own goal from Joaquin Fernandez preceded an injury-time Memphis Depay effort, as Atletico survived quite the scare to ultimately run out convincing winners.
Simeone credited Valladolid's vigour rather than any capitulation from his side for the seven-goal scoreline, as Atletico continue to lead the way for the final podium spot, occupying third place in the table and only two points adrift of local rivals Real Madrid with six games remaining.
With a 13-point lead over fifth-placed Villarreal, Los Rojiblancos could seal Champions League qualification with a win on Wednesday night if other results go their way, and the hosts' recent exploits at home suggest that Simeone's side can do their part to seal an early top-four finish.
Indeed, Atletico have won each of their last six La Liga home matches and have only been beaten once in their last 15 in all tournaments at the Wanda Metropolitano - which came against runaway leaders Barcelona - but a six-game run without a clean sheet may offer Cadiz a slice of hope.
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Goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma was perhaps the most relieved man in the stadium as Cadiz withstood wave after wave of Valencia pressure to come away with all three points on Sunday, as close-range finishes from Sergi Guardiola and Gonzalo Escalante did the damage.
Sergio's men were in store for a nail-biting second half when Ledesma's heavy touch put the ball on a plate for Samuel Lino to reduce the deficit, but the 30-year-old then redeemed himself with a full-stretch save to keep out Diego Lopez's header in a priceless victory.
Having snapped a three-game streak without a win or goal in La Liga, the Yellow Submarine boast a healthy four-point lead over the relegation zone in 14th place and have taken a giant step towards retaining their top-flight status, but there is still work to be done for Sergio and co.
Furthermore, the visitors travel to the Wanda Metropolitano having avoided defeat in each of their last four away games - winning once and drawing three times on the road since the start of March - and Cadiz memorably sunk Atletico 3-2 in October thanks to Ruben Sobrino's 99th-minute strike.
However, Atletico had previously strung together a 14-game unbeaten run against the Yellow Submarine, and Los Rojiblancos have never suffered defeat to Cadiz on their own patch, only failing to win during a goalless draw in 1991.
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Still without the services of Marcos Llorente (adductor), Reinildo (ACL) and Stefan Savic (finger), Atletico will also work around the absence of number one goalkeeper Jan Oblak for a little while longer due to the Slovenian's discomfort.
Ivo Grbic will therefore continue to deputise in goal, although Oblak could be back in time for the trip to Elche in two weeks' time, and Depay was also withdrawn from training on Tuesday due to discomfort.
A spot on the bench will likely await Depay in any case, though, as Morata and Antoine Griezmann continue in their recognisable final-third partnership.
Meanwhile, Cadiz's gamesmanship helped get them over the line against Valencia, but no fewer than three players have now incurred bans for yellow card accumulation - Fede San Emeterio, Luis Hernandez and Sobrino will all sit this one out.
The Yellow Submarine also continue to work around an unenviable injury list, as Jose Zaldua (ligament), Jon Ander Garrido (knee), Juan Cala (meniscus), Victor Chust (thigh), Roger Marti (hamstring), Brian Ocampo (knee) will miss out again.
Given their wave of fresh suspensions, Sergio should call upon the likes of Ruben Alcaraz, Momo Mbaye and Theo Bongonda to face Atletico. Centre-back Fali is nursing a slight muscular concern, but the 29-year-old has made the squad and will no doubt start if fit enough.
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Lemar, Carrasco; Morata, Griezmann
Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Parra, Mbaye, Fali, Espino; Alejo, Alcaraz, Escalante, Bongonda; Guardiola, Ramos
We say: Atletico Madrid 3-1 Cadiz
Atletico may have lost their defensive nous a tad in recent weeks, but Simeone's side have more than made up for it in the final third and have been a winning machine in front of their own fans.
While Cadiz have held their own on the road over the past couple of months, their raft of injury concerns and trio of fresh suspensions means that Wednesday's trip to the capital should not be a memorable one.
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Top tip
Ben Knapton
