Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid preview - Miranda ready for '10 finals'

Atletico Madrid defender Joao Miranda says the last 10 games of the Primera Division season will be "practically 10 finals".

The Rojiblancos are three points adrift of city rivals Real, with Barcelona a point behind in third position.

Atletico face a trip to bottom club Real Betis on Sunday, several hours before their title rivals meet at the Bernabeu.

Miranda hopes the clash at the Benito Villamarin provides the first of 10 wins he is targeting as Atletico seek to ensure the end to a title drought which now stretches back to 1996.

The 29-year-old, capped seven times by Brazil, said: "Finals have to be won, at all costs, starting with Betis.

"If we can win these 10 remaining matches then good things will surely come of it."

Miranda, answering questions from fans on the club's official website, continued: "We are having a perfect season and we are gunning for the top spot. That is what matters most.

"The important thing is how things end up - and we hope to finish on top."

Survival is now the solitary goal for their opponents.

Betis this week crashed out of the Europa League to rivals Sevilla on penalties and are focusing on avoiding relegation.

Currently Gabriel Calderon's men are nine points clear of safety but they are unbeaten in their last three league matches and midfielder Juan Carlos is hoping they can put the disappointment of Thursday's defeat behind them.

He said: "It was a bad ending but it's football and you can fail. Now we have to look up."