Celta Vigo vs Almeria preview - Enrique calls for backing of fans

Celta Vigo host fellow Primera Division strugglers Almeria this weekend in a game that coach Luis Enrique has declared is about "more than three points".

The two teams are level on points and, despite being three points clear of bottom side Real Betis, they occupy the last two spots in the relegation zone.

Both sides will be especially low on confidence having suffered painful defeats last weekend, albeit for contrasting reasons.

The Galicians threw away a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 to Real Sociedad, while Francisco Javier Rodriguez's Almeria were thrashed 5-0 by Real Madrid.

"Against direct rivals you are always playing for something more than three points and when you look at how close this league is, you see how important this game is," Enrique told a press conference.

The former Barcelona midfielder called on his players to show maximum concentration and belief as well as urging the fans inside Balaidos to roar the team on to a first home win of the season.

"Almeria are going to cause us a lot of problems and so we cannot afford to show even a glimmer of doubt," he added. "We need the blind and unequivocal support of our fans."

The coach also thanked sporting director Miguel Torrecila for backing him in public during the week, saying: "I am grateful he has shown faith in our work but I also know that up to now we haven't been getting the results we would have hoped for."

He also dismissed speculation linking him with Tottenham as a possible replacement for under-fire boss Andre Villas-Boas.

"I've signed a contract with Celta and I'm going to complete it, without a doubt," Enrique said.

"The only thing that concerns me now is my team's game tomorrow. I'm focused on the present and nothing else."

Celta have been boosted by the news that captain Borja Oubina has recovered from a fractured toe and will be fit for the game.

The midfielder's return has come at the right time for Enrique, and Oubina will take the place of suspended Andreu Fontas in the starting line-up.

Almeria will be without the injured Hernan Pellerano and Miguel Angel Corona, while Oscar Ustari and top scorer Rodri are both doubts.