Atletico eager to keep the ball rolling - fourth win in the row and a massive confidence boost at stake

Since that surprising loss to bottom-dwellers Levante on the 16th of February, the reigning champions are on a roll domestically. Tonight, Atletico Madrid will be bidding to make it four La Liga victories in a row when they welcome Cadiz at Wanda Metropolitano.

With a total of 48 points from 27 matches leaving them in fourth position in the table, Atletico are not in a title race this season. At the moment Los Colchoneros hold some 15 points less than division leaders Real Madrid, who are also now threatening to pull clear of Sevilla who stand second.

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Despite some problems, this term Diego Simeone's team are now level on points with third-placed Barcelona and will fancy their chances of securing a top-four finish - aware that Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Villarreal are close behind in the race for the Champions League spots. Including their last three victories against Osasuna, Celta Vigo and Real Betis - Atletico have now won four of their last five in the league.

The capital giants have a huge match next week, traveling to England to face Manchester United in the second leg of their last-16 tie (first match ended with a 1-1 draw at Wanda Metropolitano last month) but cannot afford to take their eye off the ball in La Liga.

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As for tonight's guests - Cadiz's success this term has come mostly when playing away and the fact that Atletico have picked up 27 points from 13 matches at home this season does not bode well with this evening's visitors. Also, Cadiz are battling for their lives towards the bottom of the table, with a total of 24 points from 27 matches leaving them in 18th position. Coming into this contest, they can find their optimism in their four-game unbeaten run. The Andalusians are only three behind 15th-placed Getafe, as the battle to avoid relegation to the Segunda Division continues.

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Sergio Gonzalez's side have not enjoyed their recent meetings with Atletico, conceding 12 times in the last three La Liga matches between the two, suffering defeats in all of those encounters.

With Sime Vrsaljko, Thomas Lemar, Angel Correa, Mario Hermoso, Stefan Savic, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Koke, Matheus Cunha and Daniel Wass potentially all missing this contest - Atletico's absentee list is substantial at the moment and the team's injury problems are far from ideal ahead of the trip to Old Trafford next week. Regardless, Simeone cannot afford to rest his key players, so it is expected to be a similar starting line-up to the one that started at Real Betis in the previous La Liga round.

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Yannick Carrasco is likely to be brought back into the starting side while Correa's absence will open the door for Antoine Griezmann to feature in the attack. Teenager Javier Serrano is also considered for a spot in the middle of midfield.

Cadiz, on the other hand, could be without Alvaro Negredo, Alcaraz, Fede and Ivan Alejo - all four started in the win over Rayo last time out.

The visitors are certainly capable of making it an uncomfortable match for Simeone's side, but everyone expects the Spanish champions to secure all three points.

LA LIGA - ROUND 28

Friday

23:00: (1.35) Atl.Madrid (5.10) Cadiz (11.0)

Saturday

16:00: (2.45) Levante (3.35) Espanyol (3.10)

18:15: (2.35) Granada (3.20) Elche (3.45)

20:30: (1.70) Villareal (3.80) Celta (5.70)

23:00: (2.55) Getafe (3.05) Valencia (3.25)

Sunday

16:00: (3.60) Rayo Vallecano (2.95) Sevilla (2.30)

18:15: (2.40) Betis (3.30) Ath.Bilbao (3.25)

20:30: (1.55) Sociedad (4.00) Alaves (7.50)

23:00: (1.33) Barcelona (5.00) Osasuna (10.0)

Monday

23:00: (5.80) Mallorca (3.90) Real Madrid (1.60)

***odds are subject to change***