Levante vs Granada CF preview - Alcaraz eyes escape

Lucas Alcaraz insists Levante's vital home meeting with fellow relegation candidates Granada is just the first of "many cup finals" to come.

The 19th side in the Primera Division table host the 18th on Monday night with escape out of immediate reach for both given they are mutually four points shy of Almeria and safety.

Following the visit of Granada come encounters with out-of-form sides Eibar and Rayo Vallecano, so Alcaraz hopes his men can make the most of this first appointment and build some momentum.

He told a pre-match press conference: "There are many cup finals to come, but we can certainly set a trend with the work we do in these next few matches.

"It's important that we generate some good feeling around the place, and get some good results."

Alcaraz, whose team lost 5-0 at Barcelona last time out, admits he has been focused on outwitting Granada since early January, given the fixture's direct importance to Levante's survival hopes.

"We've been talking about this match since we played Deportivo (on January 9)," he added.

"That's normal because every time you see a chance to get something from a direct rival you know how important getting a good result will be."

The Granada-born coach insists there will be no sentimentality on his part, even though he managed the Andalusian outfit last season.

"Granada are a special club to me," added Alcaraz. "I do hope that both clubs have survived come the end of the season, but out on the pitch everyone has to look after their own interests."

Visiting boss Abel Resino also recognises how "crucial" the game will be to his side's La Liga future.

He said: "We have to win this one because otherwise we will have a very difficult time.

"It's a crucial game for our future, not a definitive one, although it is very, very important.

"It is a key match and we have to be aware of how much there is at stake for Granada."