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Atletico Madrid can lock up Champions League spot

Fri 9th, May 2008

Madrid, Spain (Sports Network) - Atletico Madrid hopes to secure a spot in the Champions League on Sunday against Deportivo. But while that's Atletico's main goal, Barcelona is also just three points away in third place.

Atletico Madrid beat Espanyol on Thursday, 2-0, and can secure at least fourth in the Spanish La Liga and a Champions League berth against Deportivo.

Atletico only needs a tie and a loss by Sevilla and a loss or tie by Racing to wrap up the spot during Sunday's full schedule in La Liga.

"The locker room knows that our aspiration pass through Sundays game against Deportivo," Atletico defender Luis Amaranto Perea said. "We have to play with seriousness and be focused to get the three points and reach our goal."

Three points would put Atletico in good shape to maintain at least fourth even if Sevilla and Racing win this week.

Atletico, which is led by Sergio Aguero's 18 goals, can also keep the pressure on Barcelona with a victory. Barca was defeated by Real Madrid, 4-1, this week and is just three points ahead in third.

Deportivo still has a slim chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Deportivo is four points behind Racing for the final berth in that competition.

Barcelona, which fired coach Frank Rijkaard on Thursday, hosts Mallorca, which is seventh and still in the hunt for a UEFA Cup berth. Mallorca trails Racing by three points for the final European berth.

Fifth-place Sevilla is still trying to move up to play in the Champions League and also trying to hold off clubs below it to maintain a spot in the UEFA Cup. Sevilla visits Real Betis, which can still mathematically be relegated.

Racing visits Athletic Bilbao trying to maintain its hold on sixth place while still keeping an eye on a Champions League berth.

Five other games involve teams still in the relegation battle.

Real Valladolid hosts Getafe in the lone game involving two clubs in danger of being relegated. Valladolid is three points clear and Getafe is six points out of danger.

Osasuna is one point off the drop zone and hosts Real Murcia, which is already buried in the drop zone.

Recreativo, which is even on points with Osasuna, is currently 18th and in the last relegation spot with a trip to Almeria on tap.

Valencia visits last-place Levante still trying to secure its spot in La Liga. Valencia is five points clear and can secure survival with a win.

Real Zaragoza, which is one point out of the drop zone, has the toughest task when it hosts newly-crowned champions Real Madrid.

In the only match with no impact on European berths or relegation, Villarreal hosts Espanyol.