Las Palmas vs Atletico Madrid - Atletico boss Diego Simeone highlights value of squad ahead of Las Palmas match

Diego Simeone believes the influence of all the players in Atletico Madrid's squad makes them stand out from the competition.

Simeone's side head into Sunday's clash against Las Palmas with a two-point lead at the top of the Primera Division table over Barcelona, who have a game in hand.

Atletico have won eight of their last nine league games and will be hot favourites to take another three points against Las Palmas, who have won only four games all season.

Simeone told a press conference: "I think that what can differentiate us from other teams is not the starting XI, but the 18 that are called in this situation.

"Important players enter from the bench and they prove their importance with facts on the field.

"I think that's the strength we have to compete with the teams with which we want to compete."

Las Palmas' veteran midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron will take on the team he joined in 1998.

The 40-year-old had two seasons with Atletico before signing for Deportivo La Coruna, and moved back to his home island of Gran Canaria in 2013.

Valeron, who is representing Las Palmas in the top flight for the first time, believes they are on the right track having lost only one of their last eight games.

He told the club website: "For me it's always special to face a team where I played, but above that is the team.

"We want to keep the same progress and have the same feeling knowing that we will face a great team.

"We intend to get something positive. Atletico Madrid is a squad full of danger, we know what we're going to discover. We have to be on top of our game."