Levante vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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The enterprising and entertaining Levante now welcome a frustrated by still strong Athletic Club side to Estadio Ciutat de Valencia on Wednesday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – ESPN+
Levante preview: Fun to watch
Levante come into this one on the back of an entertaining 4-2 defeat at home to defending champions Barcelona in Valencia at the weekend in a game in which Levante threatened the Catalans throughout the match on Sunday.
Former Nantes and Dunkerque boss Luis Castro led Levante to survival with the fifth best record in La Liga in the second half of last season and the Valencians have again put in some fun watches at the start of this season.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Finding consistency
Following the appointment of former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic over the summer, replacing Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Club began with unfortunate defeats to Sevilla and then Barcelona but they have found some form since then.
Victories against Celta Vigo and then Atletico Madrid suggested Athletic were set for a sustained period of good form but they did stumble to a frustrating 1-1 draw against struggling Elche at San Mames the other day.
Levante team news: Couple of injuries
Levante have a couple of confirmed absentees with former Villarreal striker Karl Etta Eyong remaining sidelined alongside back-up goalkeeper Alex Primo.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ryan; Toljan, Dela, Mandi, Manu Sanchez; Dani Requna, Hugo Sotelo, Jon Olasagasti; Brugui, Ratkov, Ivan Romero
Unavailable: Alex Primo (Injured), Eyong (Injured)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao team news: Inaki a doubt
Inaki Williams scored the late equaliser against Elche in Bilbao the other day but the versatile Ghana international forward is now a doubt due to an ankle injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Jesus Areso, Yeray, Laporte, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Benat Gerenabarrena; Robert Navarro, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Sannadi
Unavailable: Dani Vivian (Injured), Unai Egiluz (Injured), Peio Canales (Injured), Gorka Guruzeta (Injured)
Questionable: Inaki Williams (Injured)
Levante vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Levante will get themselves on the front foot this midweek once again, as is pretty much the only way they know how to play and especially with the impressive form being shown by the likes of Ivan Romero, Brugui and Jon Olasagasti. Athletic will themselves seek to counter-attack quickly, as they did against Celta and Atleti, and so both teams scoring seems a decent bet for this one.
Levante vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Both teams to score
