Atletico Madrid have Malaga fast on their tail ahead of their La Liga meeting at the Vicente Calderon.

Malaga have climbed to sixth in the table following a run of five successive wins and are only two points behind the champions going into their clash on Saturday.

Diego Simeone's side had recorded five victories on the spin themselves before they lost 2-1 to Real Sociedad prior to the international break.

Guilherme Siqueira is suspended having been sent off in that defeat, and Atletico are another man down from their first-choice defence, with Miranda having been diagnosed with a grade two hamstring tear.

Cristian Ansaldi and youngster Jose Gimenez are in line to deputise, and there could also be changes in midfield for Madrid as Antoine Griezmann put pressure on the place of Mario Suarez with a midweek goal for France.

This fixture marks the start of three home games in a week for Atletico, who will secure qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League with victory over Greek outfit Olympiacos on Wednesday.

Malaga have ambitions to return to European football's premier competition and seem to have found the right man to spend Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani's money in former Osasuna manager Javi Garcia.

Los Boquerones have won six games from 11 and tightened up defensively under Garcia's guidance, and are well on track to better their 11th-place finish of last season.

Full-backs Sergio Sanchez and Roberto Rosales should both return after overcoming knocks, while Vitorino Antunes could be alongside them in a much-changed defence if he passes a late fitness test.

However, Roberto Chen, Flavio Ferreira and Nordin Amrabat are unavailable, which means that there could be a recall for former Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz as the spearhead of the attack.

Atletico have not lost any of their last six meetings against Malaga and are unbeaten at home this term.

Atletico:

Form in La Liga: WLWWWL
Form in all competitions: WWWWWL

Possible starting lineup: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Giminez, Ansaldi; Gabi, Koke, Garcia; Turan, Griezmann, Mandzukic

Malaga:

Recent form: LWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Kameni; Rosales, Weligton, Angeleri, Sanchez; Camacho; Darder, Samuel; Samu Castillejo, Juanmi, Santa Cruz

Sports Mole says: 1-0