Features
MON 04.04.2016
Levante UD and R.Sporting are keeping the faith that they can pull off a great escape. The two teams, who are both perilously placed, face off in a 'six-pointer' tonight. It's a meeting they both go into with compelling reasons to believe that they can secure Liga BBVA survival.
Levante's reasons to believe
A lethal front two
The Granotes boast a pair of in-form penalty-box predators in Deyverson and Giuseppe Rossi. The Brazilian has adapted extremely well to Spanish football, notching up nine league goals and establishing himself as a firm fan favourite. The Italian, meanwhile, has shown that he has plenty to offer since pitching up at the Ciutat de Valencia on loan in the winter window. The former Villarreal CF man has already scored four times.
Survival pedigree
Levante would obviously rather not be in this predicament, but can at least draw strength from their experiences in previous campaigns, when they have managed to claw their way to safety despite facing an uphill struggle at times. One of their hardest-fought battles against the drop came last term, when they didn't seal safety until the penultimate matchday.
Fine record against relegation rivals
Levante ran out 3-0 winners away from home in the reverse fixture against Sporting. What's more, they have chalked up excellent results against their fellow strugglers in 2016, defeating Rayo Vallecano 2-1 and Getafe CF 3-0. They also beat UD Las Palmas 3-2 back in January, when the Canary Islanders were still very much in the relegation picture.
Sporting's reasons to believe
Young guns going from strength to strength
The Asturians also have a wealth of talent within their ranks. The pacy livewire Jony and industrious goalscorer Carlos Castro are both flying the flag for the academy, while FC Barcelona loanee Alen Halilovic is pure class and another loan ranger, Antonio Sanabria, has chalked up 11 league goals in his first season at the club.
Crowdsourcing
Home or away, Sporting are never alone. The club has a vociferous fan base, including a loyal away following who will spur Abelardo's men on wherever they go.
Recent miraculous memories
The philosophy over in Gijon is that nothing is impossible. This was hammered home last season, when the Asturians gained promotion to the Liga BBVA in a turn of events that bordered on a miracle. Heading into the final round of games, Sporting's chances hinged on them beating Real Betis by at least two goals and Girona FC failing to overcome CD Lugo. They kept up their end of the bargain by triumphing 3-0 at the Benito Villamarin, but even then only went up thanks to Lugo grabbing an injury-time equaliser in Girona.
© LALIGA - 2016