Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Vicente Calderon as Atletico Madrid welcome Almeria. Both sides are in need of the points, but for very different reasons. Atletico will certainly enter as the favourites to triumph, but Almeria are unbeaten in their last three league matches.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Madrid.

TEAMS

ATLETICO: Moya; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Gabi, Tiago, Saul; Turan, Mandzukic, Griezmann

ALMERIA: Julian; Michel, Mauro, Trujillo, Dubarbier; Velez, Corona, Verza; Edgar, Thievy, Hemed

So there we have it. The big news in the Atletico camp is a return of Arda Turan to the XI. Koke is still injured, however, meaning that Saul Niguez retains his spot in midfield. Aside from that, the side is pretty much as expected, with Antoine Griezmann once again supporting Mario Mandzukic.

Almeria, meanwhile, will seemingly have a right go this evening. Tomer Hemed leads the line for the visitors, but the striker will be supported by both Thievy Bifouma and Edgar Mendez. There is also plenty of experience in the middle of the park, with Verza and Corona both in the XI tonight.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of the last six matches, with the further two ending in draws. Almeria will take heart from their recent record against the capital side, but they have not won on any of their last five trips to the Vicente Calderon in the league. That said, they have found the back of the net in four of those five trips to the Spanish capital.

In truth, Atletico can ill-afford any more slip-ups at this stage of the season. Last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Celta Vigo further harmed their chances of retaining the title this term and they have some serious ground to make up. As it stands, they sit third in the table on 50 points – seven behind the league leaders Real Madrid. That said, they can close the gap on second-place Barcelona to three points following the Catalan outfit's surprise 1-0 home defeat to Malaga earlier this afternoon.

Atletico are also seriously looking over their shoulder, with Valencia, who are fourth, now level on 50 points following their 2-1 victory over Cordoba, which has just been confirmed this minute. That said, Atletico will enter this match full of confidence due to their form at home this season. They have won 10 of their 12 league games at the Calderon – losing just once in the process. Their away form has left a little to be desired, however, with four defeats from 11 matches thus far.

Almeria, meanwhile, will also enter this match full of confidence. It was not too long ago that they were propping up the table, but seven points from their last three league games has seen them rise into 16th position. They are just four points from the drop zone and have picked up vital wins over Getafe and Cordoba in recent weeks. Can they follow Malaga's example and cause another shock today?

Incredibly, Almeria's away form this season is the sixth-best in the entire league. They have won five of their 12 league games on the road, which is just one less than Atletico have managed. It is at home where Almeria have struggled, with just one win from 11 matches, which is the worst record in the league. Now then, anyone for a shock here? Stranger things have happened that is for certain.

PREDICTION! I think that this will be a really tricky evening for Atletico. Almeria will enter the match full of confidence and certainly have players that can harm the home side. That said, I still think that Atletico will have enough to claim a narrow three points. My score prediction is 2-1 to Simeone's side.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side get the action underway here.

Excellent start from the home side, with Turan leading the charge down the right. The Turkish international delivers a deep cross towards Mandzukic, but Michel is on hand to clear. Almeria are having to fight off some serious pressure in the opening couple of minutes in the capital here.

Atletico's bright start continues as Griezmann curls one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Well, Almeria have not really had time to blink thus far!

Not too much from Almeria in the opening five minutes, with the home side in control of the possession. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital here.

It could be an interesting battle between Hemed and Godin this evening, with the latter still wearing that mask to protect his broken nose. Almeria have started to warm to their task in the last couple of minutes, but have not managed to create a chance despite some strong possession in the final third.

Velez has a free header for the visitors, but clips his effort just wide from a Verza corner.

Simeone gestures to his team that he wants the ball moved quicker and Turan obliges down the right, but Almeria remain strong in defensive areas. Edgar has the chance to break for the visitors, but Siqueira is across to challenge. Still no real chances for either side in the opening 10 minutes here.

BOOKING! Dubarbier (Almeria) is booked for a late challenge on Griezmann.

Atletico are awarded a penalty in controversial circumstances! The referee adjudges that Dos Santos has felled Godin inside the box following a free kick from a wide area. Very soft indeed!

Mandzukic rolls his effort into the bottom corner to send Atletico ahead. It was very, very soft.

Almeria attempt to respond as Corona delivers a super free kick into the Atletico box, but Mandzukic is on hand to make the clearance. This match is just warming up nicely with 15 minutes played.

The referee made a horror for the penalty, but has allowed some challenges to go in the last couple of minutes, which is contributing to an open match. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this evening. Almeria have a lot in the final third and have responded impressively here.

Mandzukic is absolutely hammered by Thievy, but the referee does not produce a card - another strange decision. Thievy deserves to be booked for that hair-do alone! His mohawk is so large.

What a super player Antoine Griezmann is. The Frenchman sends Atletico 2-0 ahead after collecting a pass from Mandzukic before finishing into the bottom corner. Not too sure about the defending.

Atletico have not had to do too much to lead 2-0, which will be a worry for Almeria at this stage.

Atletico threaten a third as Turan collects a super pass from Tiago before attempting to deliver, but Michel is across to make the challenge. Atletico have another penalty shout as Mandzukic goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. That looked more of a spot kick than the first one!

Fairly comfortable for the home side at the moment as they pass and probe in the Almeria half. One more goal for Atletico probably wins this match, which would be a big shame for the neutrals!

Just a reminder that victory for Atletico this evening would move them to within three points of second-place Barcelona, who lost at home to Malaga earlier this afternoon. Atletico continue to threaten with crosses from wide areas, but Dos Santos is twice on hand to clear as the pressure builds in Madrid.

Game over. Atletico have their third of the match as Mandzukic again sets up Griezmann with a cushioned header and the Frenchman does the rest as he turns inside the box before firing into the bottom corner. The little and large partnership is working very, very well at the moment!

Almeria are in danger of getting absolutely blown away tonight, which would be a real blow to their confidence after what has been a good recent run. Still 3-0 with 32 minutes on the clock in Madrid.

I am not one to criticise referees, but there have been some very strange calls in this match. Atletico continue to dominate the ball with little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining here.

Just a reminder that Atletico are in Champions League last-16 action against Bayer Leverkusen next week and therefore it would not be a surprise to see Simeone make changes early in the second period. In truth, bar an absolute miracle from Almeria, this game is simply done and dusted as a contest.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but it is very comfortable for the home side, who continue to pass and probe in the final third. Almeria are struggling tonight.

It was always going to be the type of match where Almeria needed to make an early impression, but Atletico have scored three times without playing particularly well. Still 3-0 Atletico at the moment.

Half-chance for the away side as Edgar strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. That is about as close as the visitors have come tonight!

Couple of crosses from Siqueira, but not too much to speak of as half-time fast approaches.

Well, that was very, very comfortable for Atletico. A penalty from Mandzukic and double from Griezmann has left the home side with a 3-0 lead over Almeria, who have struggled to replicate their recent strong form. Bar an absolute horror second half, all the points will be Atletico's this evening.

STATS! The home side have had more of the ball with 62%, while they have had four attempts, three of which have been on target. Almeria, however, are yet to register a shot on target. There has also been just the one yellow card from a referee that has had a very interesting half here!

BENCH WATCH! As mentioned, Atletico have Leverkusen in the Champions League next week and therefore Simeone could make some early changes tonight. The Argentine has the likes of Raul Garcia, Cani and Fernando Torres all in reserve. Almeria, meanwhile, also have attacking options on their bench in the shape of Soriano, Silva and Zongo. Could Martinez look to his bench at the break?

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Almeria find a way back into this match? We shall soon find out as the away side get the second 45 minutes underway.

SUB! Almeria have made one change at the break, with Soriano replacing Velez.

It has been a decent start to the second period from Almeria, with Bifouma already having an effort from outside the box, with Tiago blocked en route to goal. It is unlikely, but if the visitors were to find an early goal in this half then a comeback could be on. Not for me, but hey, who knows!

There is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is not too much of a surprise. The damage has been done in the first 45 minutes. Still, let's hope that Atletico want to score some more goals. At the moment, the home side have possession inside the Almeria half here.

An interesting run from Siqueira almost leads to Juanfran breaking for Atletico, but Dubarbier is across to make the challenge. The Almeria full-back is down the other end moments later, but his cross is straight out for a goal kick. We are in need of some inspiration in this second period in Madrid.

Trujillo tries his luck for Almeria after finding a pocket of space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Atletico will be keen to keep their clean sheet in tact here.

Almeria have a free kick just outside the box as Gabi fells Hemed. Good chance here...

... Verza takes the free kick, but fires his effort straight into the wall.

BOOKING! Siqueira (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Mendez.

Decent spell for Almeria in the last couple of moments as Verza delivers another free kick from a wide area, but once again the danger is cleared. Fernando Torres is preparing to enter for the hosts here.

SUB! Indeed the change is made as Torres replaces Mandzukic.

CHANCE! Almeria's positive spell continues as Corona meets a loose ball just outside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. The visitors have been the better team since the interval, with Atletico going through the motions after scoring three in the first 45 minutes.

It has been very untidy from Atletico in the second period as Siqueira mis-controls one straight out of play under little pressure. Almeria are growing with confidence as the second period gathers pace.

SUB! Atletico make their second change as Garcia replaces Griezmann.

It is not too much of a surprise that Atletico have replaced Griezmann and Mandzukic ahead of next week's Champions League last-16 first leg in Leverkusen. Tiago has a half-chance for the home side after meeting a cross from Juanfran, but his header was straight at the goalkeeper. Still 3-0 here.

It is a shame that Atletico scored three times in the first period because the second half has not been too competitive. The atmosphere is also very muted with little over 20 minutes to play in Madrid.

SUB! Atletico make their third change as Suarez replaces Tiago.

SUB! Almeria make their second change as Silva replaces Bifouma.

Atletico have just regained control of the possession in the last couple of minutes, but they are struggling to create clear chances. Siqueira delivers a dangerous cross towards Torres, but Dos Santos is on hand to make the clearance, before Dos Santos flicks wide from the opposite side moments later.

Little under 15 minutes of the second period remaining and Atletico still lead 3-0, with all three goals coming in the first period. Hemed attempts to threaten for Almeria, but he over-runs the ball in the final third. In truth, the second half has been very poor in terms of chances created.

SUB! Almeria make their second change as Casado replaces Dubarbier.

BOOKING! Garcia (Atletico) has been booked for dissent.

CHANCE! Atletico come close to scoring a fourth as Garcia breaks into the Almeria box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort was always rolling wide of the post.

In truth, this second period has been quite hard work. It has not been great from either side!

Turan attempts to shape a pass into Garcia, who was lurking at the far post for the home side, but the Spaniard cannot reach it and Almeria have a goal kick. Little over five minutes remaining here.

Just a reminder that Real Madrid are in action against Elche tomorrow evening - be sure to join us for that one as the title race in Spain continues to twist and turn. Are Atletico now back in it?

Half-chance for the home side as Siqueira delivers a dangerous cross towards Torres, but Dos Santos is once again on hand to clear. Almeria are down the other end with Hemed moments later, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Still 3-0 Atletico with 87 minutes played here.

Saul tries his luck for the home side after finding some space outside the box, but it is a fairly comfortable save for Julian, who pushes wide for a corner. Stinging strike from the youngster.

Very strong finish from the home side as Juanfran delivers another excellent cross towards Godin, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. We are into the first of two additional minutes in Madrid.

RED CARD! SIQUEIRA! Atletico are reduced to 10 men as Siqueira is handed a second yellow card for handball. Replays have shown that it was a horrible decision from the referee!

Good grief that is a terrible call - Siqueira was about a yard away and it hit his chest anyway!

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico running out 3-0 winners in the Spanish capital. The victory has moved the home side to within four points of leaders Real Madrid, while Almeria remain 16th - four points outside of the bottom three. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!