Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has admitted that he expects Sunday's clash against Real Betis in La Liga to be tough, describing it as a "must-win game" for both sides.

Second-placed Atletico are hoping for three points to help their push for the title, while relegation-threatened Betis will be hoping to continue their recent form to give themselves a chance of staying up.

"I expect to face a Real Betis team that has grown a lot under Gabriel Calderon's charge, they've competed very well in their recent games," Simeone told reporters. "They surely suffered a tough blow last Thursday against Sevilla (in the Europa League). But they have improved in La Liga and that is what I look at.

"They have balance in midfield as well as toughness and intensity. So we obviously have to play the way we have until now. We hope to respond in the best way possible going into this hard fixture because of the rival's necessities.

"For them it's a must-win game. So it is for us. It'll be a game with benefits for both teams at stake. The aims are obviously different for each side."

Atletico are three points behind Real Madrid in La Liga.