Athletic Bilbao are effectively back in the Champions League chase, meaning they will have an extra motivation to try and defeat title chasing Atletico Madrid.

Following yet another slip-up by Barcelona, los Colchoneros are now level on points with La Liga leaders, but they need to win at San Mames in order to remain there.

Athletic Bilbao have paid the price for club’s policy of fielding strong sides in all the competitions entered, although things could have been different had Lady Luck smiled on them.

While getting eliminated from Copa del Rey at the hands of mighty Barcelona, los Leones narrowly missed out on Europa League semis, losing to holders Sevilla on penalties.

Ernesto Valverde’s charges are close to securing another European qualification, but they also have a chance to fight for the Champions League berth.

Namely, back to back league wins over Rayo Vallecano and Malaga saw Athletic close the gap behind fourth-placed Villarreal to six points, with five games to go.

Chances are that los Leones will have to win all the remaining fixtures if they want to clinch Champions League qualification and they are 4.00 (3/1) to win the first of those.

Ernesto Valverde will have Inaki Williams back from a muscle problem, but Aritz Aduriz, Aymeric Laporte and Sabin Merino continue to miss out.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Iraizoz – De Marcos, Etxeita, Gurpegui, Balenziaga – Benat, San Jose – Susaeta, Raul Garcia, Williams – Viguera.

Even though not too many people believed they could challenge for La Liga and Champions League trophies mere few weeks ago, Atletico have once again proved the doubters wrong.

Los Colchoneros produced two excellent performances to pip Barcelona to a place in the CL semis, showing a great deal of character in the process.

At the same time, they recorded seven wins in last eight league games, which proved enough to catch the Catalans at the top as they suffered four successive slip-ups.

Atleltico now face a tough trip to San Mames, although it is important to note they have won last three matches in Bilbao, while winning six of last seven meetings with los Leones.

Having scored in four successive appearances, Fernando Torres is set to keep his place in the side, with Antoine Griezmann to partner him in attack.

Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, Stefan Savic and Oliver Torres have all returned into action, but Jose Maria Gimenez and Tiago Mendes remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Oblak – Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Filipe Luis – Koke, Gabi, Fernandez, Saul – F. Torres, Griezmann.