Spanish Football: Atletico look like the best of the rest

Keeping Radamel Falcao will be key to continued success
As Chelsea found out, Atletico Madrid are a team to be reckoned with. Christian Crowther takes a closer look at the rise of the Super Cup winners...
Atletico Madrid will run out against sixth-placed Real Betis tonight knowing that a win will see them extend their lead over bitter rivals Real Madrid to six points.
It may be early days but these are heady times for Atletico fans as their side attempt to climb into second spot in La Liga after an unbeaten start to the season.
Victory at Betis is certainly no gimme at 2.245/4, though creating such opportunities represents the mark of a team fast becoming more than just noisy neighbours to their gargantuan city counterparts.
There is so much to be positive about for fans of the Rojiblancos as they step out of the far-reaching shadow of their inter-city antagonists.
Two Europa League triumphs in the space of three seasons is a remarkable achievement and shows that this side's recent joy is no flash in the pan.
The champions' affinity with that competition in recent seasons is nothing short of incredible and, after retaining the services of Radamel Falcao, it's no surprise to see them rated 9.417/2 favourites to win it for a third time in four years.
For some time now, Colombian striker Falcao has rightly been considered one of the most gifted strikers in Europe, and if anyone in England was in any doubt, his stunning hat-trick against Chelsea was about as conclusive as proof gets.
The fact that the club managed to hold on to its most treasured asset is a real indicator of the intent to better last season's fifth-place finish and secure one of the Champions League spots.
In seasons past, this is an area which has held back the club from achieving that next level of glory, as players such as Fernando Torres, Diego Forlan and most recently Sergio Aguero have all moved on.
In Diego Simeone, they have a charismatic and much respected coach too. Although he has moved around, he's a man who's glittering playing career precedes him and a rare period of stability is key to further success for a club which has a history of impulsive board decisions.
Atletico are already the favourites to finish on top of the pile excluding the big two of Real Madrid and Barcelona and should be available at around 2.89/5, especially tempting given the change of manager at Valencia and instability at Malaga.
Whatever the outcome of tonight's game is, the future is certainly looking bright for Madrid's second team.