Atletico Madrid vs Almeria - Atletico look to bounce back

Champions Atletico Madrid will be anxious to get back to winning ways to as they host relegation battlers Almeria this weekend.

Diego Simeone's side saw their hopes of defending their La Liga title take a hefty blow as they crashed to a 2-0 loss at Celta Vigo last week.

That defeat has left Atleti seven points behind leaders Real Madrid and was a serious comedown following the previous week's 4-0 hammering of their city rivals.

Alarm bells might also be ringing given the proximity of Valencia and Sevilla, fourth and fifth respectively just three and five points behind, in the race for Champions League positions.

Simeone - who has consistently played down title talk anyway - is aware of the growing threat and will not be tempted to rest players against Almeria with Wednesday's clash at Bayer Leverkusen in mind. Critical games against both Sevilla and Valencia then follow.

Speaking at a news conference, Simeone said: "Valencia have reinforced well and Sevilla are improving very well under (Unai) Emery. I am convinced that this is our fight. The object is the Champions League.

"We are just thinking about tomorrow's game against Almeria, which is very important.

"We are returning to the Calderon, where a fortnight ago we beat Real Madrid, with our people. Apart from the first half at Vigo, the team is competing well in all competitions. Tomorrow it will be the same."

Atleti are likely to be bolstered by the return of playmaker Arda Turan but Almeria will hope to prove stubborn opponents after a confidence-boosting three-game unbeaten run against relegation rivals.

Almeria, who are 16th in the table and four points above the drop zone, have beaten Getafe and Cordoba and drawn with Real Sociedad in their most recent outings.

Coach Juan Ignacio Martinez said: "Playing Atletico Madrid demands the maximum at all times. They are a team that plays every minute as if it were the last and that approach last year saw them crowned champions and go close to winning the Champions League.

"We are talking about a great opponent but Almeria will be going there to compete."