Levante vs Barcelona Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Levante will give themselves a chance of taking the game to defending champions Barcelona to Estadio Ciutat de Valencia in Valencia on Sunday.
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: Competitive Levante
Having been superb in the second half of last season as they steered themselves clear of the bottom three and the relegation places, Luis Castro has dealt with major sales over the summer, such as Carlos Espi, but the Valencians remain steady.
After losing 3-0 to Espanyol in their opener, Levante have collected five points from their last three matches, sharing a goalless draw with newly-promoted Malaga last week with Malaga having missed a penalty in the second half.
Barcelona preview: Relentless Barca
In their five matches across all competitions so far this season, Barcelona have scored 22 goals and have notched five goals in four of those five games with five wins from five as they look for a third successive La Liga title.
The Blaugrana hammered Feyenoord by five goals to one in their first league phase game in the UEFA Champions League in midweek at Camp Nou, with Raphinha once again in excellent form as he notched a brace.
Levante team news: Karl Etta Eyong out
The sales of Kareem Tunde and Carlos Espi has placed further importance on Karl Etta Eyong rediscovering his form but the former Villarreal man is now unavailable due to a thigh injury.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Ryan; Nacho Perez, Dela, Mandi, Manu Sanchez; Fernandez, Oriol Rey, Jon Olasagasti, Bardeli; Brugui; Ivan Romero
Unavailable: Alex Primo (Injured), Eyong (Injured)
Questionable:
Barcelona team news: Gordon & Fermin to come back in
Fermin Lopez and Anthony Gordon were rested against Feyenoord in midweek but both should return even with both Karim Adeyemi and Dani Olmo performing well in their stead.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Christensen, Xavi Espart; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Gordon; Raphinha
Unavailable: Eric Garcia (Injured), De Jong (Injured), Bardghji (Injured)
Questionable:
Levante vs Barcelona prediction
Levante will believe they can be smart enough to expose the extremely high-line of Barcelona and they will fancy themselves to at least score in this one with home advantage. However, Barca are relentless at the moment and they are in superb form with a bit more depth than they had last year so a high-scoring away win is again to be expected on Sunday afternoon.
Levante vs Barcelona tip: Barcelona to win & over 2.5 goals
