Castro expecting tough Levante test

Published on September 30, 2011 by mod1 · No Comments

Real Betis striker Ruben Castro admits his side face a tricky proposition against Levante on Sunday as they look to safeguard their lead at the top of the Primera Division.

Betis are one point clear of Barcelona at the summit with 12 points from five matches although Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions are looking ominous and are basking in the glow of their Champions League romp against BATE Borisov on Wednesday night.

Betis are enjoying a fairytale start to the season following their promotion from the Segunda Division although, after four successive victories, they suffered their first loss last time out when they went down to Getafe.

Their opponents this weekend, Levante, are similarly enjoying a surprise start to the campaign and currently sit third, a point behind their hosts with Barca heading three clubs on 11 points.

Castro, who expects to return from the ankle injury which is currently sidelining him for the game against Real Madrid in a fortnight, knows Betis must be on guard against Juan Ignacio Martinez’s side.

He told realbetisbalompie.es: “All games are tough. “We have to factor in the Levante feelgood factor but they are having a great season, it will be difficult.” He added: “In principle we know the goal is to establish ourselves. We need to go game by game and see what we get.”

Barca travel to basement side Sporting Gijon with the hosts propping up the table with just one point and two goals from five games .

The Catalan side have looked unstoppable in attack in recent weeks, scoring 15 goals in three La Liga games including eight against Osasuna but have yet to win on their travels.

Barca may also have to do without Carles Puyol after the defender suffered a bruised right rib last night.

Fourth-placed Sevilla visit Atletico Madrid with two draws so far on their travels although their hosts will be looking to respond to last week’s 5-0 drubbing at Barca.

Real Madrid head three clubs on 10 points and will be hoping to replicate the type of performance that guided them to a 6-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano when they visit Espanyol - also on Sunday.

Turkey international Nuri Sahin has not yet played for Madrid since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund because of a knee injury.

Sahin is in optimistic mood although he would not predict when he would return. He also praised Madrid coach Jose Mourinho as “the best”.

He told Sky Television Germany: “I realise how he is driving his team. For me he is simply the best in the world.”

Valencia are seventh after dropping points in their last two games having won their opening three, but they could provisionally take top spot when they host Granada on Saturday.

However, even if Unai Emery’s side are victorious, Malaga may well leapfrog them with Getafe their visitors in the late kick-off.

In the other games on Saturday, Villarreal look to kick-start their campaign against Real Zaragoza, Osasuna face Real Mallorca and third-bottom Real Santander host Rayo Vallecano.

Also, Real Sociedad face second-bottom Athletic Bilbao in a local derby.

Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com