Levante vs Real Valladolid preview - Martinez set for quick reunion

The visit of Real Valladolid to Levante sees Juan Ignacio Martinez return to his former club, three-and-a-half months after the two parted company.

Martinez spent two years with the Valencia side, leading them to finish sixth in the Primera Division in his first season in charge and reaching the last 16 of the Europa League in his second.

However, the coach does not think his knowledge of Levante will help his new side much.

"I know Levante well, but they have changed a lot of players since I was there, he said in a press conference.

"We are similar clubs and we know how difficult the match will be.

"These types of matches are always very tight and are decided by the thinnest of margins."

Valladolid head to Valencia on the back of a 2-0 defeat at home to Atletico Madrid, while Levante came from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw at Almeria, a result Martinez believes will have lifted Joaquin Caparros' men.

"They just pulled off a comeback at Almeria and the only game they have lost was at Barcelona. That will have strengthened the team's morale," he added.

Marc Valiente, who missed the defeat to Atletico, has recovered from injury and will be fit for the match at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium.

Levante have drawn both of their home matches this season 0-0, and the result with Almeria was their third consecutive draw.

"In the top flight, a draw is a great result, it's the difference between heaven and earth," said Caparros in a press conference.

He also had kind words for his predecessor, who was a coach for 14 years before getting the job at Levante, his first in the Primera Division.

"After a lot of hard work he has managed to get into the elite and that's not easy in such a tough industry," he said.

"He made a very good impression here in Valencia."

Caparros has left Pedro Lopez and Nabil El Zhar out of the squad for the match, but welcomes back midfielder Ruben Garcia.