Levante v Sporting preview

Levante look for clean sheet to return to winning ways against in-form Sporting

Levante manager Juan Ignacio Martinez has highlighted the importance of keeping a clean sheet if his side are to return to winning ways against Sporting Gijon this weekend. Martinez's side had the league's best defensive record after conceding only three goals in their first nine matches, but since then Levante have let in nine in their last four games and slipped to three consecutive defeats. Speaking to the club's website, he said: "We have to get back to what we were doing best. For us to get more points we have to look at the defensive side, not just at the goalkeeper and the four defenders, but as a team. "Rediscovering our confidence is important. We need break this run and not conceding is an important objective. If we can do that it would be a great boost." Left-back Juanfran is expected to miss the match with a knee injury but his absence is compensated by the return of Asier Del Horno. In stark contrast to the hosts, Sporting started the season very poorly but have now gone five games unbeaten. Nacho Novo came off the bench to score the winner with his first goal of the season against Getafe last weekend, and the former Rangers striker believes that goal can provide a springboard for his season personally and for the team. He told reporters: "The truth is I couldn't have had a better return to the side than to come on in the final stages and score the winning goal. From a self-esteem point of view it has been great for me because it has given me great confidence. "However I was very happy with the goal above all because it gave us three very important points that allowed the team to continue this good run of five games without losing." Sporting coach Manuel Preciado has a full squad to choose from after Sebastian Eguren, Nacho Cases and Alberto Rivera were all passed fit. Best bet: Sporting Gijon (Draw No Bet) - 2/1