Atletico Madrid will attempt to recover from their defeat to Barcelona last time out when they welcome an inconsistent Celta Vigo outfit to the Spanish capital on Friday.
Radamel Falcao handed Atletico the lead in the Nou Camp, but they were eventually beaten 4-1 by the La Liga leaders, a result that has left them nine points behind the Catalan outfit. They have now lost two of their last three league fixtures, albeit against Real Madrid and Barcelona.
That said, they remain four points above third-placed Real Madrid and will attempt to move seven points clear in their final fixture before the winter break in Spain.
Celta, meanwhile, are without a win in their last three league games, but picked up a morale-boosting victory over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey last weekend. Their league form has been less impressive, however, and they currently sit in 15th position, just two points outside the bottom three.
The last time the two sides met in Madrid was in the Copa del Rey in 2010, with the match ending 1-1 before Atletico advanced 2-1 on aggregate.
Atletico could recall Adrian Lopez in place of Diego Costa for the clash, but Arda Turan has shaken off a knock and is expected to start. Celta, meanwhile, could drop Arsenal's on loan striker Park Chu-Young with a change of formation.
Recent form
Atletico Madrid: LLWWL
Celta Vigo: WDLWL
Possible lineups
Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Godin, Luis, Miranda, Juanfran; Suarez, Koke, Gabi, Turan; Adrian, Falcao
Celta Vigo: Varas; Mallo, Lago, Arceo, Cabral; Oubina, Fernandez, Bellvis, Krohn-Dehli; Aspas, Bermejo
Sports Mole says: 3-0
Matt Law
