article_snippet: La Liga champions Atletico Madrid surrendered third place in La Liga to Valencia when Diego Simeone's side had Atleti defender Miranda sent off for a brutal challenge in first-half added time and were held to a 0-0 draw at mid-table Espanyol on Saturday.
article_snippet: La Liga champions Atletico Madrid had the better chances at Espanyol's Cornella-El Prat stadium in Barcelona before centre back Atleti defender Miranda was shown a straight red card when La Liga champions Atletico Madrid felled Abraham with a leading arm as the pair jumped for a bouncing ball.
article_snippet: Atletico, who are without a win in their last four games and need to overturn a 1-0 deficit when their host Bayer Leverkusen in a Champions League last 16, second leg tie on Tuesday, have 56 points in fourth with 11 games left.
article_snippet: Valencia have 57 after Friday's 2-0 success at home to Deportivo La Coruna, while fifth-placed Sevilla (49) can close to within four points of La Liga champions Atletico Madrid by beating Elche on Sunday.
article_snippet: Barcelona (62) can stretch their lead at the top over second-placed Real Madrid (61) to four points with a win at Eibar later on Saturday.
article_snippet: Real, who play the 'Clasico' at Barca next weekend and are winless in their last three outings, host struggling Levante on Sunday.
highlights_snippet: Espanyol earn 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid at the Power 8 Stadium .
  
highlights_snippet: Diego Simeone's side are now fourth in La Liga .