Villarreal vs Levante preview - Villarreal issued points target

Villarreal coach Marcelino has urged his team to repeat their current points tally in the second half of the season - a feat he believes would put them on the verge of a Champions League spot.

Last weekend's 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao saw the Yellow Submarine move on to 35 points and record their second best ever points total at the halfway stage of a season.

They have also gone 16 games without defeat in all competitions and have one foot in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey after beating Getafe 1-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final at El Madrigal on Wednesday.

If Marcelino's side can avoid defeat to struggling neighbours Levante on Saturday they will set a new club record for the longest unbeaten run.

However, the coach dismissed the significance of the milestone.

"The importance I give to it is that it means we are on a positive run of form," he told a press conference, quoted in Marca.

"If we can manage to reproduce our results in the second half of the season we will be very close to the Champions League, but that's very difficult to do because every team has a lot at stake now. Also, the fact we are still in the Copa del Rey and the Europa League makes it all the more difficult. The difficulty will increase but we are optimistic because we have seen the attitude of the group."

Villarreal's resilient form is in contrast to Levante's hapless run of results - Lucas Alcaraz's side have not won a league game since November and lie 19th in the Primera Division table.

However, Marcelino is wary that Levante's desperate need for points could make them dogged opponents.

He said: "This game is very important, just like all our home games. We want to stay near the top of the table and that's why we have to win. Levante are in a difficult situation and I'm sure they are going to make things very difficult for us. They are a tough team and we only beat them last season with a goal in the 92nd minute. We are expecting a very difficult game."

Villarreal's task against Levante will be made all the harder due to the suspension to Denis Cheryshev, who has scored three goals and contributed eight assists this season and worked up a lethal understanding with fellow forward Luciano Vietto.

Marcelino is also expected to leave Gabriel Paulista out of his team as the Brazilian defender is on the verge of a move to Arsenal.

Levante, meanwhile, are without defender David Navarro, who was sent off six minutes into last week's 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Elche, while midfielder Simao Mate is also suspended.