Two clubs in the top half of the Spanish Liga table will do battle today in a league match between Valencia and Atlético Madrid . The first-division clash scheduled for 11 a.m. ET will be held at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia and can be live streamed here free.
Atlético Madrid enter today's match being pulled in two different directions. Staying atop the Spanish Liga table is crucial to their season's success, but with the return leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal against Chelsea on Wednesday, Atlético's focus will be tested. Fortunately for the club, Manager Diego Simeone has his priorities in order (h/t to Marca). "The only thing that matters to me is Valencia, and then Valencia and after that, Valencia. For everything else that's coming up, we have three more days, which is a lot of time for another fantastic game we'll have to play", Simeone stressed.
"It's one more final. Usually we have always tried leaving aside certain changes there always have to be in a team, to keep up the competitiveness we have had throughout the league and the Champions League, and that won't change for this game", he added.
"You have to be careful. You have to remember there are two other teams fighting to win the league and they are very strong teams. They might easily win their remaining games, and so we mustn't get ahead of ourselves for a second."
Will Atlético Madrid stay focused with the task at hand this afternoon? Tell us @SportsWN
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Atlético Madrid's Diego Godin will need another stalwart defensive performance if the club is to survive at the Mestalla Stadium this afternoon. The Uruguayan averages 2.9 interceptions and seven clearances per match this season.
Valencia's Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Gualta; Bernat, Mathieu, Senderos, Pereira; Keita, Parejo; Fede, Vargas, Feghouli; Alcácer
Atlético Madrid's Projected Lineup (4-4-2): Courtois; Luis, Alderweireld, Godin, Juanfran; Turan, Gabi, Suarez, Koke; Villa, Diego
Spanish League Table
| Rnk | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | +/- | Pts | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlético Madrid | 34 | 27 | 4 | 3 | 74 | 22 | 52 | 85 | |||
| 2 | Real Madrid | 34 | 26 | 4 | 4 | 98 | 32 | 66 | 82 | |||
| 3 | FC Barcelona | 34 | 26 | 3 | 5 | 94 | 28 | 66 | 81 | |||
| 4 | Athletic Club | 34 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 59 | 37 | 22 | 62 | |||
| 5 | Sevilla FC | 34 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 65 | 47 | 18 | 59 | |||
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 35 | 16 | 9 | 10 | 59 | 51 | 8 | 57 | |||
| 7 | Villarreal CF | 34 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 52 | 40 | 12 | 52 | |||
| 8 | Valencia CF | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 47 | 47 | 0 | 45 | |||
| 9 | Rayo Vallecano | 35 | 13 | 4 | 18 | 45 | 71 | -26 | 43 | |||
| 10 | Levante UD | 35 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 31 | 42 | -11 | 42 | |||
| 11 | RCD Espanyol | 35 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 39 | 46 | -7 | 41 | |||
| 12 | Málaga CF | 35 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 37 | 44 | -7 | 41 | |||
| 13 | Celta de Vigo | 34 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 40 | 51 | -11 | 40 | |||
| 14 | Granada CF | 35 | 11 | 4 | 20 | 30 | 53 | -23 | 37 | |||
| 15 | Elche CF | 35 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 28 | 47 | -19 | 36 | |||
| 16 | Osasuna | 35 | 9 | 8 | 18 | 29 | 58 | -29 | 35 | |||
| 17 | Getafe CF | 35 | 9 | 8 | 18 | 30 | 51 | -21 | 35 | |||
| 18 | UD Almería | 35 | 9 | 6 | 20 | 38 | 69 | -31 | 33 | |||
| 19 | Real Valladolid | 33 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 32 | 50 | -18 | 32 | |||
| 20 | Real Betis | 35 | 5 | 7 | 23 | 29 | 70 | -41 | 22 |
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