Villarreal vs Levante match preview and predictions for Saturday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as two sides from the Valencian region clash.
- DATE: Saturday 2nd January 2021
- KICK-OFF: 14:00 (local time)
- VENUE: Ceramica
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Villarreal vs Levante Preview
2021 in LaLiga kicks off at the Ceramica, which has served as a home ground for both Villarreal and Levante this season. Paco Lopez’s side played a couple of matches there while renovations were completed at the Ciutat de Valencia but they are very much the away team on Saturday as they make the short journey across the Valencian region.
They will do so with belief they can get a result. Villarreal’s club record 19 game unbeaten streak in all competitions ended last time out as they went down 2-0 at Sevilla. That does mean that it’s now just one victory in seven league games for Villarreal and while overall it has been a strong start to life under Unai Emery, it’s still hard to see them bettering last season’s 5th place finish.
They have struggled a bit in recent weeks with their central midfield depleted by injuries to Vicente Iborra and Francis Coquelin. Juan Foyth and Manu Trigueros don’t bring quite as much to the table and it wasn’t a huge surprise to see Villarreal dive into the transfer market by signing the experienced Étienne Capoue this week, although this match will still come too soon for him.
That will give Levante encouragement that they can really get a firm foothold in this game. They’ve been doing well in recent weeks despite a few midfield injury problems of their own with Jose Campana among those missing.
Three straight home wins have pulled them clear of the drop-zone including a thrilling 4-3 triumph against Betis last time out. Veteran Jose Luis Morales scoring two cracking quick-fire goals to set Levante on their way to victory and their open, attacking style of play suggests this could be a really watchable game that could kick off the new year of Spanish football in some style.
Read all our LaLiga match previews here!
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Villarreal Wins, 2 Levante Wins, 1 Draw.
- Both meetings last season produced 2-1 home wins.
- Villarreal have collected 7 points from their last 3 home league games vs Levante, with both teams scoring in all those games.
- Both teams have scored in each of the last 5 meetings including friendlies.
Team News
New signing Etienne Capoue is not available yet for Villarreal who are missing the likes of Francis Coquelin and Paco Alcacer again to injury.
José Campaña is missing again for the visitors while Enis Bardhi is rated doubtful. Rober Pier is suspended.
Predicted Villarreal Starting Lineup:
Asenjo – Estupinan, Torres, Albiol, Pena – Trigueros, Parejo, Foyth – Gomez, Nino, Gerard (4-3-3)
Predicted Levante Starting Lineup:
Fernandez – Clerc, Duarte, Coke, Miramon – De Frutos, Radoja, Malsa, Morales – Marti, Gomez (4-4-2)
Villarreal vs Levante Predictions
Score Prediction: Villarreal 2-2 Levante
Villarreal’s midfield problems leave them a bit weak right now in the middle of the park and they aren’t the most physical of teams in any case. Levante are playing well and they look capable of making a real game of this and potentially leaving the Ceramica with a point.
Villarreal vs Levante Betting Tips (18+)
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