Elche vs Levante Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a Valencian Community derby between two newly-promoted sides facing off against each other this weekend as Elche take on Levante at Nuevo Campo.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Elche vs Levante may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Elche preview: Strong return to La Liga
Following their promotion to the top-flight of Spanish football last season, Elche managed to secure themselves a draw against Real Betis, with a late equalising goal scored by German Valera, after what was a solid performance.
The additions of Andre Silva and Rafa Mir have added quality in the final third for Elche, and the latter got on the scoresheet at the weekend, with Elche earning themselves another point in a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano last week.
Levante preview: Frustration for Levante
Levante come into this one on the back of a thrilling encounter against defending champions Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia at the weekend. Levante were 2-0 up at half-time before Barca turned the game and won it in second-half stoppage-time.
On the opening day of the campaign, Levante suffered a 2-1 loss to Deportivo Alaves at the Mendizorroza in the Basque Country, with another second-half stoppage-time goal proving decisive, but they will remain upbeat following their promotion.
Elche team news: No need to change
There are no key first-team injury issues for Elche to concern themselves with, and they will therefore be able to name an unchanged eleven for this weekend if they so choose.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Matias Dituro; John, Affengruber, Pedro Bigas; Alvaro Nunez, Marcos Aguado, Aleix Febas, German Valera; Rodri Mendoza; Alvaro, Rafa Mir
Unavailable:
Questionable: Boayar (Injured)
Levante team news: A few doubts
Levante are dealing with a few doubts this week, as defensive duo Alan Matturro and Kervin Arriaga are potentially sidelined alongside former Lens man Goduine Koyalipou.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Campos; Dela, Unai Elgezabal, Jorge Cabello; Toljan, Pablo Martinez, Oriol Rey, Manu Sanchez; Brugui, Ivan Romero, Jose Luis Morales
Unavailable: Alfonso Pastor (Injured)
Questionable: Matturro (Injured), Kervin Arriaga (Injured), Jon Olasagasti (Injured), Koyalipou (Injured)
Elche vs Levante prediction
This Valencian derby is between the two sides that gained automatic promotion from La Liga, and the two sides performed very well. They gained promotion playing an enterprising and progressive style of football, with a very different style in comparison to what is now common in La Liga. They have also both performed well at the start of this season, and so both teams scoring would appear a reasonable shout for this one.
Elche vs Levante tip: Both teams to score
