Rayo Vallecano vs Levante preview - Rayo out to boost survival fight

Rayo Vallecano winger Lica is hoping his side can take a step closer to securing survival when they host fellow strugglers Levante.

The Madrid side sit 13th in the Primera Division table on 26 points from 24 games, just four clear of Levante, who occupy the final place in the relegation zone.

Rayo won their last home game, against Villarreal, but go into the game off the back of a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao while Levante beat fellow strugglers Granada in their last match, turning the game on its head by scoring two goals in the final minutes to win 2-1.

"This is an important game, but not a decisive one," the Portuguese winger told a press conference.

"There are still many games left to play but we want to win again at home, just like we did against Villarreal. It would be another step towards achieving our objective."

Lica also insisted his side would have to be at their best if they are to overcome Lucas Alcaraz's notoriously hard-skinned side.

"Levante are a difficult team to play," he said.

"Every team in the Primera Division is difficult in its own way and you can lose to anyone. Despite their position in the league, they are a good side.

"We will have to try and play with a lot of intensity. We have to challenge them for every ball, we cannot allow them to get to any ball before us."

Rayo coach Paco Jemez will be without Tono after the goalkeeper picked up an injury in Bilbao so Argentine stopper Cristian Alvarez returns to the starting line-up for the first time since 20 December.

Defender Ze Castro is a doubt after picking up a knock to his ankle in training and midfielder Mohamed Fatau has been ruled out for up to a month with a hamstring tear, reopening a place in the side for Raul Baena.

Levante are without central defender Ivan Ramis after he was sent off against Granada but the club have been boosted by the news that his initial four-match suspension has been reduced to a one-game ban. Otherwise, Alcaraz has a full squad to choose from.

The match comes just five days after the gruelling encounter with Granada, but the coach still has faith in his team's chances of getting something from their trip to Vallecas.

He told the club's official website: "We should benefit from the fact we often play under strain. You cannot prepare for a game like this too much with the week we've had, the most important thing is that our players have fresh legs. We will try and get a positive result."