Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde has admitted that his side cannot afford to lose tonight's La Liga clash with Malaga as Sevilla continue to push the Basque outfit for fourth position.

As it stands, Bilbao sit in the final Champions League position on 59 points, but they are just three points ahead of fifth-place Sevilla, who beat Real Betis 2-0 at the weekend.

"The other two home games are no doubt important but the key is this game," Valverde told reporters at a pre-match press conference.

Bilbao have won 17 of their 32 league games this season, but face a Malaga side that has eased their relegation troubles in recent weeks with three wins from their last four matches.