Valencia vs Levante

6/1- A look at the points table and one would say that Valencia is the luckiest team as they would have the easiest of opponents to play in the new year and score some points as they would play hosts to the ever struggling Levante, who have managed to pick up a mere 7 points from the 17 matches played and lie at the bottom of the points table on the 20th position while Valencia stand a strong 7th. But on the contrary a look at the stats table would say another story, may be Levante is the luckier team as Valencia have not been able to win a single match in their last 5 laliga encounters, though Levante have also lost the last 4 encounters but Valencia have looked highly vulnerable and more so at home. Valencia have lost 5 matches out of the 8 played at home this season and that says much about the confidence they would carry into this match, in fact Levante would finall stand a good chance of scoring at least a point.

Valencia would have the crowd behind them but they would be missing out on the striking quality as Morientes and Villa are sidelined due to injury. The last match they played before the break was a draw against Real Zaragoza and ended in a score line 2-2. In fact the last match saw Valencia’s first goal after 6 matches and this just highlights the problems they are facing. At the beginning of the season they were roaring and featured in the top 5 but a very poor run has dragged them to 7th.

Levante are almost certainly out of the top league this season and would have to fight their way through. A point here would be like a blessing for them.

Prediction: 1-0, Valencia win

Levante vs Deportivo La Coruna

23/12- While Real and Barca fight out this week to try and end at the top of the point’s table season, the same week features a classic bottom table clash between team number 19 and team number 20, Deportivo La Coruna and Levante respectively. Though just a position ahead Deportivo are well clear of Levante in terms of points as when Levante are on 7 points, Deportivo are double at 14. Levante enter this match after 3 continuous losses, the last one being away at Espanyol while Deportivo were able to pull off a draw against a highly ranked Real Zaragoza at home last week and this would be a moral booster for them.

The good thing for Deportivo however is that they have been quite good away from home as they are 19th in total and the worst performing team at home but when it comes to away matches their performance has been the 8th best this season among the Spanish Laliga teams. Deportivo have relied heavily on their awesome threesome to find the net and again the responsibility of a win at Levante would be on the shoulders of Guardado, Jimenez Tejada and Riki. Deportivo would also be aware that a win could possibly help them to increase their chances to get out of the relegation zone and there would be no better opportunity than a weak non performing team like Levante. At the same time Deportivo would also know that loosing the match here could mean that they would be further deprived of chances getting back out of the relegation zone.

Levante have hardly anything left as their campaign this season already appears to have come to a premature end, with no solid performances to lift them and a constant pressure of being eliminated might be to much for them.

Prediction: 0-2, Deportivo win

Espanyol vs Levante

15/12- The high flying Espanyol were held up for draws in their last two games, though one match was against Barcelona at home and the other against Zaragoza away (and both opponents are strong teams) but this means that they are losing out to the other top half teams who have won matches hence Espantol would like to get back to winning ways and cover full 3 points in this home tie against a struggling team like Levante. Currently lying in 5^th spot would make up a few spots if they are able to get the maximum points as most of the other top teams would be playing the following day except for Barcelona who have a tough tie with Valencia later on that day and the point difference between the teams lying at 3, 4 and 5 is just a point or two each.

 

Levante have lost all their away matches and have a 100% record for the wrong reasons, placed at the extreme bottom of the table they are in no form and are staring at the face of relegation and only a magical turn around of fortunes and form can see them out of the bottom three. With the home advantage with Espanyol not much would stop them from taking away all the points and with Tamudo and Luis Garcia in prime form they are already looking at a good victory margin.

 

Coach Giovanni De Biasi would be looking to provide the team with some inspiration to draw out at least a point of this match and if they can do that it would be a huge boost to the confidence of the club and the players and they might find the lost belief of sustaining in the top league once again. As they say that the battle is not lost till it ends hence Levante need to battle it out on the field in their attempt for survival.

 

Prediction: Espanyol win 2-0

Getafe vs Levante - 2/12

Eleventh placed Getafe will be looking at an entry in the top half table after this week’s home toe against bottom of the table Levante. The only thing they need to beware about is complacency, the struggling Levante booked their second victory in 3 matches last week when they beat Real Betis a home but if records are to be considered, Levante have not registered a point away from home this season and the chances this time look dull as well. Getafe on the other hand has just lost one match at home and that too against league toppers Real Madrid.

 

Giovanni De Biasi, the new coach for Levante, has started on a positive note for the club and if the team can manage their first away points they can be said to be back in contention and still might just have an escape from the relegation zone. Rigano is stillmissing from the side and his inclusion is a distant possibility but on the other hand the form of Mustafa Riga was good and he looked impressive last week. Levante would also like to make the most of the kind of football they have played over the past few weeks and the form and momentum they have gained.

 

Getafe is a highly attacking side and the match can be patchy with quick turn around and fast paced soccer. With the home crowd and the terrific record there are not many people who fear a loss but Getafe would be looking at the full 3 points and if they are not able to convert them, they will be highly disappointed. Levante on the other hand will be happy with a draw as well and will be hoping to score some more away goals to help their cause and climb their way up the ladder.

 

Prediction: 1-0, Getafe win

 

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