Tenerife 2 - 2 Málaga

Tenerife v Málaga: Preview

Updated: November 6, 2009, 4:57 PM UK

Tenerife coach Jose Luis Oltra insists it is too early to label tomorrow's bottom-of-the-table clash against Malaga a relegation six-pointer.

The Islanders are in 16th spot in the Primera Division table after they were thrashed 5-0 at struggling Villarreal last weekend and sit just five points above rock-bottom Malaga.

Despite the scoreline, they competed well for long periods at Villarreal, but were eventually made to pay for some lacklustre finishing and Oltra has urged his players not to let their heads drop.

"There are no finals in the tenth round of fixtures because the situation changes a lot by the end of the season,'' he said. "All the matches are important and we think about winning every game.

"I think that we are being excessively punished in comparison to what is being see on the pitch.

"Now is the moment not to doubt ourselves and to believe in our possibilities.''

Tenerife might be performing dismally away from home, losing all five of their matches on their travels, but it is a differing story at the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez where they have won three of their four matches.

Oltra credits their fans with their success and hopes they can cheer them to victory again tomorrow - something he admits will not be easy.

"We are strong in the Heliodoro because the people help us,'' he said. "We have a perfect harmony and that plus motivation is good for the footballers.

"At this moment everything is useful to push ourselves up and we have to take advantage of this encouragement.

"But I have to make it clear that people are mistaken if they think we are going to beat Malaga easily. Malaga work well, they have good points and possibilities to do things.

"They will be a strong opponent. They are a solid group and their statistics aren't that much different to ours. But we have to be outside all that and think about the work we are doing.

"Honestly, its the same for me whether Malaga are coming, who are propping up the table, or Barcelona, who are the leaders.

"We have to focus on our work, we will try to continue winning at home, making ourselves strong in the Heliodoro in front of our people.''

Oltra has a full-strength squad to choose from tomorrow.

Malaga's season has been nothing short of disastrous so far.

Things looked great as the Andalusians ran out 3-0 winners at home to Atletico Madrid on the opening weekend, but Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz's men have lost seven and drawn once since then and are now bottom of the Primera Division with just four points.

Malaga have only picked up one point away from home and another defeat would surely see the axe fall but Lopez Muniz insists he remains calm.

"From the first day I have been shown confidence,'' said the under-fire coach, "The jeers the other day? That's football and everyone is free to express their opinions.

"The thing that makes me feel bad is losing, the rest is just part of football.

"The group is strong, very united and we are only lacking in points, Our aim is to get out of this situation and there is still a long way to go,''

Apono, Juanito, Helder, Albert Luque and Manolo are all out injured but Francesc Arnau and Fernando Forestieri return to the squad.