Real Madrid vs Levante Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Real Madrid are in something of a crisis, once again, as Los Blancos, under new management take on a seemingly much-improved Levante side at the Bernabeu.
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 any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
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Real Madrid preview: Crisis in Madrid
Following a defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final last weekend in Saudi Arabia, Xabi Alonso was sacked a few days later and replaced by former Castilla coach Alvaro Arbeloa in what has been a chaotic week for the world’s biggest club.
That was made worse by a shock defeat to second-tier struggler Albacete in the cup in midweek. Real Madrid fell behind twice to Albacete before fighting back, only to be beaten by a last gasp winner in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Levante preview: Strong Levante
Following promotion to the top-flight last season, Levante put in some entertaining performances at the start of this season but the Valencians have struggled for results, thus having to replace Julian Calero with Luis Castro.
The visitors most recently shared a 1-1 draw with Espanyol in their most recent outing, last weekend, backing up an impressive 3-0 hammering of Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Luis Castro’s opening game.
Real Madrid team news: Plenty returning
Real Madrid opted to rest several key players in the week so the majority should return but Antonio Rudiger is a doubt, while Brahim Diaz remains at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Carreras; Fede Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Unavailable: Eder Militao (Injured), Alexander-Arnold (Injured), Brahim Diaz (International duty)
Questionable: Rudiger (Injured)
Levante team news: A few issues
Levante have some confirmed absentees for this one such as Unai Elgezabal, Brugui and Victor Garcia, while Kervin Arriaga and Goduine Koyalipou are key doubts.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ryan; Toljan, Dela, Matias Moreno, Diego Pampin; Pablo Martinez, Julen Olasagasti; Tunde, Carlos Alvarez, Iker Losada; Ivan Romero
Unavailable: Unai Elgezabal (Injured), Brugui (Injured), Victor Garcia (Injured)
Questionable: Kervin Arriaga (Injured), Koyalipou (Injured)
Real Madrid vs Levante prediction
Real Madrid will want to simplify what has been going on. If reports are to be believed then, as expected, Xabi Alonso fell foul of trying to coach at Madrid, which isn’t liked by their so-called ‘galacticos’. Levante head to the capital city with a newfound sense of themselves and fluency and form in the final third. They will fancy themselves to further bloody the nose of a wobbling giant but Madrid have to remain favourites, surely.
Real Madrid vs Levante tip: Real Madrid to win & both teams to score
