Valencia vs Levante preview - Guaita eyes derby boost

Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita believes a derby win over Levante would be the perfect morale boost for everyone at the club after a poor run of form that has put their participation in next season's Champions League in doubt.

Los Che have won just three of their 13 league games since the turn of the year and are now level on points with Malaga in third and only three ahead of this weekend's opponents Levante.

Guaita told AS: "We have to break our bad run at home and such an important derby would be a great occasion to do so. We have to give the fans some happiness."

However, Guaita has also asked for the home support at Mestalla to show more patience after being very vocal in the criticism of the team and manager Unai Emery in recent weeks.

"We haven't taken the points we should have for a number of weeks and therefore we need all the fans with us, supporting us to the end, and equally we need to fight until the last match.

"The fans are demanding but in Mestalla we need their support until the final whistle, if they want to show their discontent then do it at the end of the game."

Emery also has selection problems ahead of the game as Bruno, Jordi Alba and Roberto Soldado are all suspended, but Antonio Barragan does at least return from his ban.

Levante meanwhile would be delighted simply to qualify for Europe and defender Juanfran believes a victory over their city rivals would round off a wonderful season for his side.

He told a press conference broadcast on the club's website: "To get into Europe would be something historic for this club.

"Either way, our season has been brilliant whether we qualify for Europe or not and if we can present our fans with three points on Sunday it would be the icing on the cake."

And the former Valencia player hopes the extra pressure on his former side will help Levante beat them for the first time in four attempts this season.

"In the first half of the season we arrived at the derby in a better position and they beat us. We have now completed our objective for the season and all the pressure is on them."