Levante vs Atletico de Madrid preview - Suarez priority is top-three finish

Atletico Madrid's Mario Suarez says he is only focused on a top-three finish in the Primera Division and not on his own future ahead of Sunday's trip to Levante.

Suarez has been a main part of Atletico's success in recent years but has been linked with solving Arsenal's search for a defensive midfielder this summer.

But with three games of the Spanish season remaining, Suarez says Atletico's ambition to beat Valencia into third place and reach the group stages of the Champions League without the hindrance of an August qualifier overrides everything else.

"The goal is to finish third and to achieve that we have three finals ahead of us," Suarez said at a press conference to promote the Football & English Immersion Campus in Madrid.

"There are three matches left in which the club's objective is at stake, which is the third place that gives direct access to next year's Champions League.

"It's an objective important enough to not have to think about anything else."

Atletico are unbeaten in 12 league games since losing 2-0 at Celta Viga in mid-February but they have been unable to keep pace with Barcelona and Real Madrid in the defence of their league crown.

But there was some good news for Diego Simeone's side this week when midfielder Saul Niguez extended his contract at the club until 2020.

"It's very important for me to wear this shirt. I've been here since I was 12 and I've been treated very well," Niguez told the official club website.

"We want to win and when a victory can bring you closer to the objective, it motivates you even more.

"We're going out to win the three games left, against Levante, Barcelona and Granada."

Atletico have sour memories of visiting Levante as a 2-0 defeat at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia last May almost cost them their first La Liga title for 18 years.

A year on and Levante have plenty to play for as they are five points above Deportivo La Coruna, who occupy the final relegation place, and in need of the victory that would surely guarantee their top-flight status.

"The sooner we get safe the better for everyone," Levante winger Jose Luis Morales said at a press conference this week.

"We have had a difficult season but there are three points available that will keep us in the division for another year and that is how we have to approach the game.

"Atletico are a very aggressive team and have players with great quality.

"(Antoine) Griezmann is in a great moment with goals, but you can not stay with one."

Mario Mandzukic and Arda Turan could both return for Atletico after starting last weekend's goalless home draw with Athletic Bilbao on the bench.