Atletico Madrid can all but seal their place in the Champions League for next season in their clash against Athletic Bilbao.
Diego Simeone's men can make life uncomfortable for Barcelona and Real Madrid in a desperate attempt to retain their title, but a top-four finish can be secured if results go their way on Saturday.
Atletico
© AFP
Simeone's men have performed well in an attempt to retain their title, but have just lacked the quality in key moments to match the displays of Barcelona and Real Madrid this season.
This was highlighted in their exit in the quarter-finals of the Champions League when they fell to a 1-0 aggregate defeat to their bitter rivals as Javier Hernandez's late goal sent Carlo Ancelotti's men through to the last four.
However, the response from Atletico has been positive as they have claimed victories in their last two Primera Division matches, including an important 1-0 win over Villarreal thanks to Fernando Torres's second-half strike.
Atletico's league form has been excellent throughout the campaign, but recently they have managed to carve out an 11-match unbeaten run at the right time of the season to give them a glimmer of hope of retaining their title.
One of the reasons for their good surge of form has been their displays at the back, as Simeone's team have kept eight clean sheets in their unbeaten run. Good defensive play has been the foundation of their season because only Barcelona have a better record at the back than the Rojiblancos and their 17 clean sheets.
Atletico have only dropped seven points at home in the campaign, with their only defeat coming at the hands of Villarreal back in December. Simeone's side have won their last three on the spin at the Vicente Calderon Stadium without conceding a goal, while putting 10 past their opponents.
The Rojiblancos do play Barcelona in their final home game, which means that their chances of causing a huge upset to win the title are slim, although if results go in their favour they could leapfrog rivals Real into second place to avenge their Champions League defeat.
Recent form: WWDWWW
Recent form (all competitions): DDWLWW
Bilbao
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Bilbao still have a slight chance to sneak into the Europa League as they trail Villarreal by six points with four games remaining in their season.
Ernesto Valverde's men have had a solid if unspectacular campaign, but a surge in form to end the season could make it a successful year for Los Leones even before their Copa del Rey final showdown against Barcelona at the end of the month.
Although Bilbao have failed to match their exploits of last season when they finished fourth in the Primera Division, the club have managed to propel themselves into a decent position due to their form in the second half of the campaign.
Valverde's men won five games on the bounce in February and March, including a 1-0 victory Real Madrid, which lifted the club away from the relegation zone and into the security of mid-table.
Bilbao's league form may have suffered from their responsibilities in the Champions League and then the Europa League as they crashed out of both competitions in the early rounds. However, they now have a chance to rebuild over the summer and go again due to their resurgence in the second half of the campaign.
Los Leones' form away from the San Mames has been their saving grace this season as they hold the seventh-best record in the division by recording six victories on their travels, which means they should pose a distinct threat to Atletico at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
The club have also been stout defensively in the second half of the campaign as they have kept seven of their 12 clean sheets in 2015, and two in their last three matches.
Recent form: LDLWWD
Team News
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Simeone has no new injury worries or suspensions for the clash at the Vicente Calderon Stadium. However, he could opt to change members of his starting lineup as Torres could push for a place following his strike against Villarreal.
Raul Garcia and Saul could also come into contention after coming off the bench in the second half of the victory at El Madrigal.
Bilbao are without Iker Muniain and Xabier Etxeita for the clash against Atletico due to their injuries. Valverde could opt to stick with the same team that drew with Real Sociedad last time out, but Mikel Rico and Borja Viguera may start for Los Leones.
Atletico possible starting lineup:
Oblak, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Jesus Gamez, Tiago, Gabi, Turan, Koke, Mandzukic, Griezmann
Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Iraizoz, Iraola, San Jose, Balenziaga, Laporte, Gurpegi, Susaeta, Benat, Ager Aketxe, Aduriz, Inaki Williams
Head To Head
Atletico hammered Bilbao in the meeting between the sides earlier this season as Antoine Griezmann netted a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory.
Madrid recorded four wins over Valverde's men last season, which included their triumph in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. The last time the sides meet at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in a league game, Simeone's men ran out 2-0 victors.
Over the course of history, Atletico hold the advantage in the head-to-head as they have recorded 24 victories compared to the 13 of Bilbao, while five of the contests have ended in draws.
We say: Atletico 2-1 Bilbao
Atletico are in excellent form and play extremely well in front of their own fans which should see them earn a victory to all but guarantee them a place in the Champions League next season.
Bilbao will battle them all the way, but Simeone's side will have just enough to secure the three points.
Simon Sinclair
