Levante vs Valencia preview - Costa - We should win

Posted Saturday, November 05, 2011 by PA

Valencia midfielder Tino Costa believes his side are favourites to win their city derby at Levante despite their rivals' blistering start to the campaign.

Levante have been La Liga's surprise package so far this season and are riding high in third place after their best-ever opening to a top-flight campaign.

Juan Ignacio Martinez's unfancied side had been top before suffering their first league defeat away to Osasuna last weekend - a reverse that ended a seven-game winning run that included victory over Real Madrid.

As a result Levante will head into the Valencia derby for tomorrow's late-night kick-off ahead of their city rivals for the first time since 1964.

Levante are also in good form at home - they have won all four of their matches at the Ciutat de Valencia this season - but despite that Costa still believes Los Che will triumph.

While the Argentina international admits Levante have earned their position in the table he thinks his side, who are only two points adrift in fourth place, should still prevail.

"It will be a hard match. Levante have started well and must be respected," he said.

"Levante know their strengths and their flaws and they play very well within that.

"We know the importance of the derby and our team is eager to get the three points.

"Levante are playing well but we should still win the game."

Costa's confidence has been fuelled by his side's own good run of form.

Los Che are unbeaten in their past five league games, while they dispatched Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 in midweek Champions League action.

Unai Emery's side were, however, dealt an injury blow with playmaker Ever Banega suffering an injury in that game that will sideline him for up to six weeks.

Costa is the man most likely to replace him in a starting line-up that Emery has hinted will be much-changed from the midweek win.

Levante will welcome back Juanfran after he was banned for the trip to Osasuna but Nabil El Zhar (hamstring) and Rafa Jordan (ankle) are sidelined.