Levante vs Sporting de Gijon preview - Survival close for Levante

Levante coach Luis Garcia believes his side have Primera Division survival almost within their grasp as they prepare to welcome Sporting Gijon to the Ciutat De Valencia.

Promoted Levante looked like relegation candidates back in January as they propped up the standings, but eight wins in 12 games saw them rocket up to ninth place with 42 points heading into last weekend's clash at Atletico Madrid.

Garcia's men lost that match 4-1 but, despite that setback, they are still seven points clear of the drop zone with five games remaining.

Levante have a tricky run-in, with clashes against top-five sides Barcelona, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao to come, but a victory over Sporting should banish any lingering fears of relegation.

Garcia said: "If we beat Sporting we will have points to spare. A win would achieve it (safety) and with a draw we'd take a step forward. Good God, if we go down with 45 points, it's almost impossible to go down with that.

"We must trust in ourselves and know that we can secure survival.

"But if we suffer a disappointment and we lose it will not be due to relaxing and will still have four games more to pick up points."

Levante may already have done enough to stay up anyway, as their total of 42 points has been sufficient to guarantee survival in eight of the last 10 seasons.

Only one team in the history of La Liga have even been relegated with 45 points.

If Levante are within touching distance of safety, then Sporting are not far away either as they are just a point behind the Valencia-based side in 11th spot.

Sporting coach Manuel Preciado, whose side have won five of their last seven games, said: "42 points could be sufficient. This round of matches could clear up many things."