Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde expects a major test today against Almeria.

With nine matches left, Athletic currently sit in 7th place and will be looking to close the gap on Villarreal as they get set to take on UD Almería at the Power Horse Stadium.

"We go into the game on the back of two consecutive victories. It's good, but we have to be aware that winning is vital," Valverde said in his pre-match press conference. "We have to avoid complacency and focus on what we have done to win, as this is the decisive part of the season.

"We're going to play four games in a very short space of time and lots of things will be decided. We have to approach it as if we had same need to get points as in previous matches."

Although UD Almería are 17th, they have an extremely strong home record and Valverde warned it would be a tough match.

He said: "They're a very solid team at home. They have taken more points at home than we have, they are difficult to beat. I also think they're the best team in LaLiga in terms of attacking strategy."