Deportivo La Coruna vs Eibar preview - Garcia: Slump could be wake up call

Eibar midfielder Dani Garcia admits his side's recent slump could serve as a timely wake-up call as the Basque minnows look to take another step closer to Primera Division safety against Deportivo La Coruna on Friday.

Eibar, playing in the top flight for the first time in their history, are the surprise packages of the season and head to the Riazor lying an impressive eighth in the standings and nine points clear of the relegation zone.

It might have been even better for Gaizka Garitano's men but for a disappointing run that has seen them pick up just one point from their last three outings against Cordoba, Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid.

However, Garcia believes that could prove a blessing in disguise for the team, telling a press conference: "It's good to have a warning. Having so much praise can mean you don't keep your feet on the ground.

"Our performances have dipped.

"After the last two defeats we're really looking forward to Friday. There are good and bad runs, and it's best to have the bad now and against teams with bigger budgets than us.

"The points gap (to the bottom three) gives us a certain calm, but Gaizka has told us we cannot relax. We're not looking at the table, but getting as soon as possible to the 40-plus points that will give us safety."

Garitano, who had to cancel Thursday morning's training session due to snow, is without Lillo and Abraham Minero through suspension and the injured Manu del Moral.

Depor came up with Segunda Division champions Eibar last season but have found life back in the top flight tougher than their northern rivals and are currently just three points above the drop zone.

However, they have enjoyed a good start to 2015, picking up eight points from five games with their only defeat coming against Barcelona, and striker Oriol Riera has stressed the importance of continuing that form against Eibar.

He told a press conference: "Two weeks ago we played against Barcelona and we said that was not a game of our league, but this is one of our league and in these game you have to pick up points, especially playing at home.

"Picking up points in this game would give us many things, including starting to see everything much clearer to playing with more calm."

Riera, whose team are without the Luis Farina and Helder Postiga on Friday, knows it will not be easy though, adding: "Eibar are the revelation of the league, nobody would have betted they would be in mid-table.

"What they are doing is spectacular. They are a competitive team and doing things very well."