Villarreal vs Levante Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Something of a Valencian derby takes place at Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday as Villarreal, finally with a win, take on a punchy Levante side.
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+
Villarreal preview: A win at last
Villarreal come into this one on the back of a come from behind 3-1 defeat of Malaga at La Rosaleda on Thursday with an equaliser from Alberto Moleiro before a match-winning brace scored by Senegal international midfielder Pape Gueye.
The Yellow Submarine had been winless in their opening six matches across all competitions after the appointment of former Rayo Vallecano boss Inigo Perez to replace Marcelino.
Levante preview: Punchy Levante
Levante were one of the best teams in La Liga in the second half of last season as they steered themselves clear of the bottom three and the relegation places – and the Valencians again expect to be competitive this season.
They were competitive last weekend, too, as they fought back from 3-0 down to 3-2 against rampant defending champions Barcelona at Estadio Ciutat de Valencia, albeit they did eventually succumb to a 4-2 defeat to the Blaugrana.
Villarreal team news: Santi Comesana out
Former Rayo midfielder Santi Comesana has sustained an ankle injury and the key midfielder is now expected to be sidelined for a while.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Gulacsi; Freeman, Pau Navarro, Veiga, Sergi Cardona; Buchanan, Gueye, Saliba, Alberto Moleiro; Akhomach, Ayoze
Unavailable: Foyth (Injured), Santi Comesana (Injured)
Questionable:
Levante team news: Hugo Sotelo out
Celta Vigo loanee Hugo Sotelo is now unavailable due to a knee injury alongside back-up goalkeeper Alex Primo and former Villarreal striker Karl Etta Eyong.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ryan; Toljan, Dela, Mandi, Manu Sanchez; Dani Requena, Bardeli, Jon Olasagasti; Brugui, Ratkov, Ivan Romero
Unavailable: Alex Primo (Injured), Hugo Sotelo (Injured), Eyong (Injured)
Questionable:
Villarreal vs Levante prediction
Levante have had a week off as the Valencians’ encounter against Athletic Club was postponed just a few minutes before kick off due to flash flooding. They will therefore be fresh against a Villarreal side that have been very busy this summer and are learning to play a much more energetic and intense style under Inigo Perez so both teams scoring seems a decent bet for this one at El Madrigal.
Villarreal vs Levante tip: Both teams to score
