With nine points separating Atletico Madrid from Barcelona at the top of the table, Diego Simeone's side can cut the gap to six points with a win over Celta Vigo in their La Liga game Friday.
Barcelona are only scheduled to play Saturday, meaning all three points at the Vicente Calderon Stadium against a side in 15th and just two points above the relegation zone, will take them closer to a Barca side that seem almost untouchable.
Atletico played their hearts out against the Catalan giants last weekend, but still went down 4-1, and Simeone believes his side have been great this year, with the club still four points ahead of Real Madrid.
"We are halfway through the championship and we want to continue in the same line," he told AS.
"I feel an enormous happiness because when we arrived the situation wasn't easy and the players have made a great effort to be able to be competitive.
"The most difficult thing is to maintain the stability. When the club makes such a huge effort, the players have to have the capacity to maintain the stability necessary to continue improving. Our objective is to be competitive in everything."
One of the main factors for Atletico's rise in the La Liga this season has been Radamel Falcao, and the Colombian international admitted 2012 has been a year to remember.
"It's been a great 2012, amazing," Falcao said. "So many great moments that it's difficult to choose between them. I'd give myself a nine. Maybe even 9."
Atletico left-back Felipe Luiz will miss the game against Celta, after having to be taken off in the game against Barca.
Celta will be without Roberto Lago, with Carlos Bellvis expected to replace him in the lineup.
"It will be a very difficult game because Atletico are going very well," Bellvis told Marca. "Up front they have a lot of firepower, we need to take care with their attacks and then try to take advantage of one of the chances we will have.
"The result in the Camp Nou will not take its toll. Atletico will pressure us a lot, they will not let us play. They are the favourites, but in one match anything can happen. If we can get one then they could have problems."
To watch Atletico Madrid vs Celta Vigo Live Stream, click here.
Expected lineups: Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Diaz, Godin, Miranda, Juanfran; Suarez, Koke, Turan, Gabi; Costa, Falcao.
Celta Vigo: Varas; Mallo, Arceo, Cabral, Bellvis; Obina, Fernandes, Bermejo, Krohn-Dehli, Park, Aspas.
Prediction: 3-0 to Atletico
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