Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia

Atletico Madrid host Valencia at Vicente Calderon on Sunday evening as both teams chase third spot in the La Liga table.

The defending champions have held that position for much of the season, but 18 points from seven games have moved Valencia to within one point of Diego Simeone's team.

The Rojiblancos missed the opportunity to close the gap on leaders Real Madrid last weekend after only drawing with Sevilla, and that is likely to result in changes to Simeone's starting lineup.

Mario Mandzukic is a near certainty to be recalled in attack, with Koke also pushing for inclusion too, but Saul remains absent with a kidney injury.

Valencia go into the contest as the form team in La Liga, but only 19 of their 53 points have come on the road and it will be a big test to overcome Atletico at Vicente Calderon.

Their hosts boast the same return at home as Valencia, stats which give the pair the best home records in the league, but Nuno Espirito Santo will hold no fear as they look for their sixth away success of the campaign.

Defender Paco Alcacer remains missing for Los Che, so Santo is likely to retain the same team that defeated Real Sociedad last weekend.

Atletico Madrid:

Form in La Liga: WWWLWD Form in all competitions: WWLWLD

Possible starting lineup: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Gamez; Gabi, Tiago, Suarez; Garcia, Mandzukic, Turan

Valencia:

Recent form: WLWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Alves; Barragan, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gaya; Fuego, Perez, Parejo; Feghouli, Negredo, Piatti

Sports Mole says: 2-1