Real Betis vs Levante preview - Mel wary of Levante threat

Posted Sunday, October 02, 2011 by PA

Real Betis coach Pepe Mel believes if his side want to know how dangerous Levante will be tomorrow they need only look at the Primera Division table.

Betis suffered their first defeat of the season at Getafe on Monday night but still top the table after a wonderful start to the season and entertain another surprise package on Sunday afternoon.

Mel is expected to make widespread changes from the side that lost at Getafe and he believes Levante's recent form, which has propelled them to third in the table, should serve as a warning to his side.

"They deserve to be up there," he said. "They have won the last three matches and are doing things in the right manner, it is an experienced team, they are well-organised and difficult to break down."

Betis missed the influence of playmaker Benat Etxebarria on Monday night and he will be recalled to the side but Ruben Castro is still not ready for a return from injury so Roque Santa Cruz will again lead the line up front.

Levante could go top for at least a few hours with a win but manager Juan Ignacio Martinez says his side aren't losing sight of their real priority which remains staying up.

"We know what our league is and what our objective is," he said. "We haven't talked with the players at all about going top.

"The reality is if we win we will have 14 points, which will be great, but here we know the idea is to get to May with the objective completed."

Martinez has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from after Carlos Aranda and Xavi Torres recovered from injuries that had kept them out of training this week to travel with the squad.