Atlético de Madrid to close in on Sevilla in Spanish soccer

Havana, December 18 (RHC)-- Atletico Madrid will be looking for a success today that will allow them to close the gap against Sevilla, in a match corresponding to the 18th round of Spanish soccer.

The colchoneros, reigning champions of the competition, are in fourth place in La Liga with 29 points, compared to 34 for their rivals, and a success would put them just two points behind.

The team from the Spanish capital will also be looking to break a negative streak in La Liga of two consecutive defeats, while their opponents will be trying to string together their third success in a row and stay in contention with Real Madrid, leader with 42 points.

Three of the last five encounters between the two teams have ended in a draw, with one win on each side, the most recent being on April 4 of this year, when the Sevillistas won 1-0 with a goal by the Argentinian wing-back Marcos Acuña.