Atletico Madrid will go in search of a sixth successive La Liga victory when relegation-threatened Almeria visit the Civitas Metropolitano on Sunday.
Diego Simeone's men have moved to within two points of second-placed Real Madrid in the La Liga table, while Almeria find themselves 16th – three points above the drop zone.
Match preview
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Atletico Madrid extended their winning run to five games with a 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano last weekend, courtesy of first-half goals from Nahuel Molina and Mario Hermoso.
Not only have Los Colchoneros won each of their last five La Liga outings, but they have also won nine of their previous 11, with their last league defeat coming all the way back on January 8.
It is safe to say that Atletico have built their hot streak on a formidable defensive record, as Simeone's men have kept seven clean sheets across their last 11 matches, conceding just four goals along the way.
After thrashing Sevilla 6-1 last month – thanks largely to braces from Memphis Depay and Alvaro Morata – Atleti secured three consecutive clean-sheet victories over Girona, Valencia and Real Betis before last weekend's draw with Rayo.
It is no exaggeration to say that Atletico Madrid are one of the most in-form teams in European football right now, as Los Colchoneros have taken 30 points from a possible 36 since their last defeat.
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Almeria looked dead and buried following a run of five defeats in six matches across February and March, despite temporarily halting their losing streak with a shock 1-0 victory over Barcelona.
However, Rubi's men have given themselves a fighting chance of avoiding relegation by chalking up a three-game unbeaten run, with draws against Cadiz and Celta Vigo preceding a 2-1 win over Valencia last time out.
Second-half goals from Gonzalo Melero and Srdan Babic put Almeria in control against Valencia, while the Andalusia outfit managed to hold onto their lead despite the best efforts of Samu Castillejo and company.
Still, there is no hiding the fact that Almeria have failed to win on their La Liga travels this season, recording four draws and nine losses from 13 away encounters.
Having taken a measly four points from a possible 39 on the road this term – conceding 29 goals in the process – Almeria are not expected to pick up their first away win of the campaign at the expense of in-form Atletico.
Team News
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Memphis Depay will not be available for selection this weekend as the 29-year-old continues to nurse a thigh injury, which has seen him miss the previous two games.
Atletico Madrid will also be without the injured Reinildo Mandava for the rest of the season, so Yannick Carrasco is likely to continue at left wing-back.
Having racked up three goals and two assists across the past seven matches, Antoine Griezmann will partner Alvaro Morata in attack, with Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo De Paul and Koke starting in midfield.
Almeria, on the other hand, will be without the suspended Chumi on Sunday after the defender picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign last time out.
El Bilal Toure is expected to remain sidelined for the foreseeable future due to a muscle injury, while Sergio Akieme is a doubt for the trip to the capital.
With top scorer Toure out injured, Gonzalo Melero – who has bagged four goals and three assists this term – will be expected to step up in attack.
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Molina, Savic, Gimenez, Hermoso, Carrasco; Llorente, Koke, De Paul; Morata, Griezmann
Almeria possible starting lineup:
Fernando; Fernandes, Ely, Babic, Centelles; Costa; Martinez, Melero, Robertone; Baptistao, Suarez
We say: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Almeria
Given Atletico Madrid's strong defensive record, we expect the hosts to notch a fourth clean-sheet victory in five outings this weekend, piling pressure on Almeria at the opposite end of the table.
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