Diego Simeone has hinted he thinks Barcelona will drop more points this season.

Atletico have won their last three league games, as well as knocking Barca out of the Champions League, to move level with the Blaugrana at the top of the table.

And although the Catalan club hold the head-to-head advantage, Atletico know that one more slip-up from Luis Enrique’s side will open the door for them to become champions for the second time in three seasons.

Simeone said: “I’m not a prophet, and it’s very difficult to predict what will happen. But I have the feeling we don’t depend on anybody else. We depend upon ourselves. I’m just saying what I think.”

However, the question of whether Atletico will be able to win all five of their remaining fixtures is another matter, with Wednesday night’s trip to Athletic Bilbao presenting Simeone’s men with one of their toughest tests of the season.

A good run of form has lifted the Basque club into fifth place in the table, and they have lost just one of their last 13 league games at San Mames.

Simeone, who will be without suspended skipper Gabi for Wednesday night’s contest, said: “Athletic are an important team with a lot of strength all over the pitch. But we are ready. We aren’t doing any tactical work because all the boys already know exactly what to do and they are all ready to play.”