Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde sees Monday's clash with Almeria as an "opportunity".

Athletic currently sit fifth on the table.

Tomorrow we have a great opportunity to stay in a good league position," Valverde said.

"You only have to look at the standings, get three points and it's a big step forward."

He added: "When the games come thick and fast, everyone decides which one is the most important, depending on the opponent or the competition, and they don't realise that you're playing for something in all of them.

"We're playing away from home and it's obviously a difficult game because Almería are doing well. It's true they're bottom of the table and have very few points, but they compete well in every game.

"They are being punished by certain factors. There is less and less time left and, because of the situation they're in, we expect an extra-motivated team. We have to be at a good level if we want to win."