Levante vs Athletic Bilbao preview - Alcaraz desperate to end slump

Levante coach Lucas Alcaraz admits his side need to turn around their slump in form if they are to drag themselves out of trouble at the foot of the table.

The team have gone eight league matches without a win with their last victory back in late November and have slipped to second from bottom.

Levante still remain in touch with the sides immediately above them, however, and Alcaraz is looking to kick-start the recovery at home to Athletic Bilbao.

"We need several results. It's very important to get a victory mood and tackle the issues we have in the table," he told a press conference.

"We work on that line and the group is focused their attention towards achieving that goal.

"You cannot ignore Bilbao are a physical team with a direct style of play but we cannot lose our identity.

"We know what we want and how we want to do it. No-one can have the slightest doubt of our commitment."

Bilbao are only four points above the relegation zone themselves after no wins in seven games since November 29, although they did secure a much-needed confidence boost in midweek by progressing to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with a slender victory over Malaga.

"Results like that and progressing to the semi-finals always drives you on," said coach Ernesto Valverde.

"We'll see whether we now have that optimism needed to push us up the league table."