Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone predicting close contest for third
Diego Simeone expects the battle to finish third in La Liga to go down to the wire between Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla.
The defending champions beat Real Sociedad 2-0 on Tuesday to remain in third place, four points clear of Valencia, who travel to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
Sevilla are level on 61 points with Valencia in fifth place after their 2-1 triumph at Levante on Tuesday.
"I think the battle for third place is going to be very complicated," Simeone told his club's official website. "Sevilla are winning and are playing well.
"Valencia now have the responsibility to win in Bilbao. Each game from now on is a final and my prediction is that third spot will not be decided until the end."
The top three teams in La Liga qualify directly for the Champions League next season.
Antoine Griezmann, who scored his 16th league goal against his former club to help Atletico to victory on Tuesday, said: "We are up there fighting for the Champions League and we have to continue like this. We have to be strong."
Atletico have kept a clean sheet in their last four league games and play at Malaga on Saturday.
"We know that if we keep a clean sheet it is easier to win, we have to continue like this," Griezmann added.