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Athletic Bilbao pressed their claim for a spot in next season's Champions League by trouncing Almeria 4-1 to climb to sixth in La Liga on Sunday.
Javi Martinez scored either side of halftime, Fernando Llorente also netted and had a penalty saved and Igor Gabilondo was on target before Pablo Piatti grabbed a late consolation goal for visiting Almeria.
Sevilla occupy Spain's fourth Champions League qualification berth after a 2-1 victory at Malaga on Saturday gave them 51 points with seven matches remaining.
Bilbao are level on 48 with Real Mallorca, who are fifth due to their superior goal difference and host third-placed Valencia later on Sunday (1900 GMT).
Valencia are a massive 21 points behind second-placed Real Madrid, who lost 2-0 at home to champions Barcelona on Saturday to surrender top spot to their arch rivals.
At the other end of the table, Racing Santander moved six points clear of the relegation places after a 1-1 draw at mid-table Deportivo Coruna.
Santander are 15th on 32 points, above Real Zaragoza (32) and Malaga (31).
Promoted Tenerife and Real Valladolid, who drew 0-0 on Saturday, are 18th and 19th respectively and Xerez, making their La Liga debut, are bottom after Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Getafe.
Europa League semi-finalists Atletico Madrid, who are 10th, visit Espanyol later on Sunday (1700).
(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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