Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Wanda Metropolitano, and it is a real cracker of a match as Atletico Madrid welcome Valencia. Six points currently separate second-placed Atletico from third-placed Valencia in Spain's top flight, and both teams will be desperate for a win in this match. Stay tuned for what should be a very interesting game of football.

The pair played out a 0-0 draw in the reverse match at the Mestalla earlier this season. Atletico, however, recorded a 3-0 victory when the two teams locked horns at the Vicente Calderon last season. Valencia have not actually beaten Atletico in the league since a 3-1 home success in October 2014, and have not won away to the Madrid side in Spain's top flight since February 2011.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Atletico have had a free week to prepare for this match, but Valencia were in Copa del Rey action on Wednesday night – losing 1-0 to Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final. Any changes? Let's see...

TEAMS!

ATLETI: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Savic, Godin, Lucas; Correa, Koke, Saul, Carrasco; Griezmann, Costa

VALENCIA: Neto; Vezo, Paulista, Garay, Gaya; Soler, Parejo, Kondogbia, Lato; Mina, Zaza

🔴⚪🔴 Take a look at the best 📸 of the team's arrival!#AúpaAtleti #AtletiValencia pic.twitter.com/lIpjIRdG0B

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 4, 2018

The big team news for Atletico is the return of Diego Costa in the final third of the field. The former Chelsea striker starts alongside Antoine Griezmann in attack, while Angel Correa and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco also feature in what is a very forward-thinking XI. Stefan Savic replaces Jose Gimenez at the heart of the back four, while club captain Gabi drops to the bench.

As for Valencia, head coach Marcelino will seemingly match up Atletico's 4-4-2 formation. Santi Mina is joined by Simone Zaza in the final third of the field, while Carlos Soler and Toni Lato will start in the wide areas. Ruben Vezo switches from centre-back to full-back, but January signing from Arsenal Francis Coquelin is only on the bench. Two extremely interesting XIs!

So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Madrid. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with Atletico. Diego Simeone's side are still second in the table, but they have fallen 12 points behind the league leaders Barcelona, who picked up a 1-1 draw at Espanyol earlier this afternoon.

STATS 📊
Last season, we beat @valenciacf_en 3-0 thanks to @AntoGriezmann and @KevinGameiro9's goals.#AúpaAtleti #AtletiValencia pic.twitter.com/ZCaMMn1e2o — Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 4, 2018

It would be fair to say that Atletico have drawn too many league games this season (7), but a record of 13 wins and just one defeat represents a very strong campaign for the capital side. They are seven points ahead of fourth-placed Real Madrid, and a win here would be massive for the hosts.

Atletico are the team closest to Barcelona as things stand, and they will be looking to protect an unbeaten home league record in this match. Indeed, Simeone's side are yet to lose a La Liga fixture in their wonderful new stadium, although they have drawn four of their 10 matches at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The entertainment factor has not always been present with Atletico this season, but they have the best defensive record at this stage of the campaign having only conceded nine times in 21 matches, which is quite remarkable. They will also enter the match off the back of a 3-0 victory over Las Palmas in this stadium last weekend, and are boosted by the return of Costa tonight.

🏧👥 | STARTING LINE-UP
Here's our starting XI for tonight's match!
🔴⚪🔴 Atleeeeeeeeeeeeeti!#AúpaAtleti #AtletiValencia pic.twitter.com/sHqe3usPVG — Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 4, 2018

In terms of what is ahead for Atletico, the capital side will travel to basement side Malaga next weekend, before visiting Copenhagen in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-32 clash on February 15. Simeone's team will then host Athletic Bilbao in the league on February 18 ahead of the second leg of their Europa League clash with Copenhagen in Madrid on February 22.

As for Valencia, Marcelino's side will be looking to return to winning ways following last weekend's 4-1 home defeat to Real Madrid. Los Che entered the clash with the Spanish champions off the back of a 2-1 loss at Las Palmas, and were unable to prevent Zinedine Zidane's side from collecting all three points. They also lost 1-0 at Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa semi-final during the week.

A record of 12 wins, four draws and five defeats represents a strong campaign, but Valencia are actually only three points ahead of fifth-placed Villarreal, and will enter this match having lost three of their last four in all competitions. Atletico, meanwhile, have a brilliant record in this stadium.

Nuestra primera vez en el #WandaMetropolitano 🌨#AtletiValencia pic.twitter.com/fD9CKfG7ii — Valencia CF (@valenciacf) February 4, 2018

Valencia have been pretty good on their travels this season, however, winning five of their 10 league matches – losing three times. Only Barcelona have scored more away goals than Valencia this season, although Los Che have conceded 15 on their travels. Atletico are not exactly a team that open up, which could make it very difficult for Valencia to play their own game in this match.

KICKOFF! Valencia kick things off here...

... not quite a full house inside the stadium, but there is a wonderful atmosphere. Atletico are yet to lose a league game in their new home, but Valencia will fancy their chances of causing problems.

Atletico have had the chance to threaten from a couple of crosses in the early moments, but Garay and then Gabriel clear the danger. There is a nice tempo about the match as both teams look to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Both sides also look to have set up in a 4-4-2.

Bit of possession for Valencia in the last couple of minutes, with Parejo and Kondogbia getting on the ball in the middle of the park. Atletico, however, are such an incredibly strong defensive unit.

Atletico continue to work the ball into wide positions, which is not much of a surprise when considering that they have Costa at centre-forward. The Spain international is an absolute monster in the air, and Carrasco and Correa are both out-and-out wingers. It is crossing central here.

Not an awful lot to report in the last couple of minutes as Valencia continue to resist the pressure. You do get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital here.

Koke hits one from distance, but his effort was always wide of the post.

Valencia are extremely disciplined at the moment as they continue to hold off the threat from Atletico. It is the type of match that could be decided by one goal.

Carrasco drives to the edge of the Valencia box before having a strike, but Gaya is on hand to make the block. It was a powerful run from Carrasco, who managed to hold off Kondogbia.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Atletico are very much the team on the front foot. Carrasco has been extremely bright for the home side here.

Koke looks to feed Griezmann inside the Valencia box, but the Frenchman's touch is too heavy, and Neto is out to claim. This match is yet to really get going in terms of quality attacking football.

There is no question that Valencia would take a point in this match, and the majority of the work from Lato and Maksimovic in the wide positions has been defensive. Atletico remain on top here.

SAVE! Nato has to push a powerful Saul effort wide of the post!

Good possession for Valencia in the last couple of minutes, but they are not really threatening to breach Atletico's defence. It has been a tight game, and we are still goalless with 25 minutes played.

Half-chance for Atletico once again as Griezmann drills towards Costa after the striker had challenged Garay, but Paulista is on hand to make the clearance. Good pressure from Atletico.

Atletico are going to be forced into a change here as Savic hits the deck.

ATLETICO SUB! Gimenez replaces Savic for the home side.

Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and we are still goalless. Neither side has been able to land that knockout blow, although Atletico would certainly be ahead on points here.

We have not seen an awful lot from Griezmann in the first 33 minutes of this match, although he has just started to come deep in a bid to get on the ball. He actually just got chopped by Maksimovic.

Griezmann delivers a dangerous free kick into the Valencia box, but Neto comes through the crowd to make the clearance. The whistle had actually been blown, however, with Costa fouling Gaya. It has been a very stop-start last 15 minutes or so, but we are still waiting for the first yellow card.

SAVE! Stunning save from Neto to tip a Costa header over the crossbar!

Saul misses the crossbar with a long-range effort as the pressure continues here.

Better from Valencia as Zaza collects a cross from Parejo inside the Atletico box, but the number nine's effort was always moving wide of the post. More guile from the away side in that attack.

Much better game at the moment as both teams start to move the ball quicker in the final third. Valencia have been on the front foot in the last couple of minutes, and it is not a surprise that Zaza has been involved. You do get the feeling that the first goal would be absolutely massive here.

Really good spell for Valencia as they continue to move the ball in Atletico's half of the field. It has not exactly been thrill-a-minute in the first half, but it has been an interesting tactical battle.

We are into the only additional minute at the end of the first period.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. In truth, it has not been the most enthralling of matches, but it has been a very interesting battle. Costa had the best chance of the first period, with his towering header kept out by the flying Neto.

STATISTICS! Valencia actually shaded the first-half possession with 51%, but they failed to register a shot on target from three attempts. Atletico, meanwhile, hit the target with just one of their nine attempts. No yellow cards to report, but there have been a couple of tasty challenges here.

BENCH WATCH! Atletico have already been forced into one sub tonight - Gimenez taking the place of the injured Savic. Gabi, Gameiro, Fernando Torres and Vitolo, however, are still available in the second 45 minutes. Valencia, meanwhile, have the likes of Coquelin, Rodrigo and Soler in reserve.

RESTART! Atletico kick things off here...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here.

Godin stays down on the deck after getting a whack in the mouth. It looks like the centre-back might have lost a tooth here. It was a nasty collision with the Valencia goalkeeper!

Godin does not look happy one bit as he leaves the field with the Atletico medical team. The centre-back is off the field at the moment, and it remains to be seen whether he can continue. Lato has just had a half-chance for the away side, but his wild effort was over the crossbar.

ATLETICO SUB! Juanfran is on for Godin here.

This is a big chance for Valencia when considering that Godin has left the field. It is Lucas and Gimenez at the heart of the Atletico back four with still around 40 minutes to play here.

Neto gathers a header from Griezmann, which never had the power to beat the Valencia goalkeeper. Still goalless, but the game is just starting to open up at both ends of the field.

Still goalless with little over 30 minutes of football to play in the capital. It is extremely well posed, and you just wonder whether Marcelino will look to his bench in the next five or so minutes. Atletico, however, only have one sub remaining due to the injuries to Savic and Godin.

Juanfran has a pop from outside the Valencia box, but his effort was always too high.

What a hit! Atletico take the lead just before the hour as Angel Correa finds some space outside the Valencia box before finding the top corner with a stunning effort! Wonderful strike!

ATLETICO SUB! Gabi replaces Carrasco for the home side.

VALENCIA SUB! Rodrigo replaces Lato for the away side.

Little over 25 minutes of football remaining, and Valencia will now have to come out - there is no question about that. You still get the feeling that there are more goals in this football match.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Griezmann fires home from close range, but the whistle is blown as Costa had jumped into the body of the Valencia goalkeeper. All Atletico at the moment.

VALENCIA SUB! Soler replaces Maksimovic for the away side.

Bit of possession for Valencia as we head for the final 20 minutes of football here.

Valencia have a lot of attacking players on the field at the moment, but Atletico have a lot of pace on the counter-attack, and you sense that a second goal for the home side could be coming here.

Juanfran delivers a low cross into the Valencia box, but Garay is on hand to make the clearance. The resulting corner is delivered towards Costa, and Garay again deals with the danger.

SAVE! Neto is down to keep out another strike from Correa.

BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) is booked for a trip on Soler.

Valencia are having a lot of the ball in Atletico's half of the field, but they are just not threatening to get their name on the scoresheet. Still 1-0 with 77 minutes on the clock in the Spanish capital.

Not too much happening at the moment as Atletico continue to resist the pressure. Valencia have not really had a serious chance in this match, but there is still more than 10 minutes to play here.

Soler strikes from the edge of the box following a bit of panic inside the Atletico box, but the midfielder's effort is over the crossbar. Valencia still have time to find an equaliser here.

Gabi is very fortunate to escape a second yellow card for pulling Kondogbia to the ground.

Little over five minutes of football remaining, and still Atletico lead 1-0. Both teams are having spells with the ball, but no chances to report since the last time I was with you here.

The Atletico fans are in fine voice as we approach the final moments. Simeone is the cheerleader here as he demands that the supporters give the team a push in the latter stages here.

Pass, pass, pass from Atletico as they keep the ball in Valencia's half of the field.

We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match.

Valencia, as expected, are the team on the front foot. Another cross comes into the Atletico box, but Costa makes the challenge, and that would well be that. Valencia have been poor tonight.

BOOKING! Gaya (Valencia) is booked for a foul on Griezmann.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico recording a 1-0 win over Valencia courtesy of a super strike from Correa. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!