Atletico Madrid go into Saturday's La Liga clash with Almeria at the Vicente Calderon knowing that anything other than a swift return to winning ways could all but end their title defence.
A 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo last weekend left Atletico's hopes hanging by a thread, with seven points now separating them from leaders Real Madrid.
Indeed, the gap to the top could well be nine by the time they kick off this weekend, with second-placed Barcelona bidding for a 12th consecutive victory at home to Malaga in the early start.
Diego Simeone will have been just as upset with the performance against Celta as he was with the result, having watched his side put in one of their poorest displays in recent seasons.
What makes the loss even more puzzling is that it came off the back of an emphatic 4-0 hammering of arch rivals Real Madrid the week before, a result that had catapulted Atletico right back into the title race.
Simeone will certainly be glad to return to home comforts having lost just one of their last 32 league games at the Calderon, the most recent of which was that victory over Real.
Atletico were missing a trio of key players in the defeat to Celta, but both Arda Turan and Raul Garcia are back available after suspension and should return to the starting lineup.
Antoine Griezmann is likely to move into a more advanced role as Fernando Torres drops to the bench, with the Frenchman having scored six goals in 2015 so far - a tally only Lionel Messi can beat.
Koke remains sidelined, however, while Simeone must also decide whether to stick with Tiago in midfield, having hauled him off after just 34 minutes last weekend.
Almeria will pose an interesting test for Atletico, having gone three league matches unbeaten for the first time this season to edge themselves away from the relegation zone.
Four points now separate them from the bottom three, although this will be by far their biggest test since their recent improvement.
Juan Ignacio Martinez's side have been impressive on the road so far this season, however, with only four teams amassing more points on their travels than Almeria's 16 - more than twice as many as they have managed at home (7).
They have not yet won at the Vicente Calderon in La Liga, though, drawing two and losing three of their five visits.
Ruben Martinez remains the only injury doubt for the visitors, who are expected to once again start with Tommer Hemed and Thievy Bifouma in their attacking line.
Atletico:
Form in La Liga: LWWWWL
Form in all competitions: LWLWWL
Possible starting lineup: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Ansaldi; Niguez, Gabi, Garcia, Turan; Griezmann, Mandzukic
Almeria:
Form in La Liga: LLLWWD
Form in all competitions: LLLWWD
Possible starting lineup: Julian; Michel, Velez, Dos Santos, Dubarbier; Verza, Corona, Wellington Silva, Soriano, Bifouma; Hemed
Sports Mole says: 2-0
Barney Corkhill
