Levante continues their decent campaign after their return to the Spanish La Liga with a visit from a struggling Alaves side, which is desperate for points, while Atletico Madrid will visit a strong Leganes side hoping to bounce back from a defeat against Chelsea in the Champions League in the midweek.
LEVANTE vs. ALAVES
Three-way: 1: Levante -102; X: +292 Draw; 2: Alaves +450
Spread -0.5: Levante -118; Alaves +112
Total +2.5: Over +136; Under -133
LEVANTE
After returning to the Spanish La Liga, Levante have surprised quite a few people with their performances. They haven’t gone on a winning run, but have shown tremendous grit and determination some seemingly stronger opposition, including Real Madrid. Although they are far from frightening opponents, they have proved it to the teams in the league that they are no pushovers, something that Real Madrid would attest to.
Interestingly, Levante had been few of those teams in Europe’s top five leagues that had started the campaign unbeaten. Their first loss came last week at home. Including that defeat, their record over the last six games has been 2-3-1, showing how frustrating they can be to their opponents. During this period, they have scored 8 goals, failing to score in just the last game. Moreover, they also conceded 8 goals, although keeping two clean sheets and four of those goals being conceded in the last match.
Their last match was a very poor showing, especially when one takes a look at how well they had been playing before that. They lost away to Eibar by 4:0, in a performance devoid of any attacking inspiration. Prior to this match, though, they had defeated Real Sociedad by 3:0 at home, showing that on their day, Levante can be quite a ruthless team. However, the defeat against Eibar laid down the blueprint for other teams to exploit their weaknesses and defeat them, something that many teams have struggled with this season.
Attacking midfielder Enis Bardhi has shown a real eye for goal with three strikes in five matches. Winger Jose Luis Morales has also been a vital contributor to the team’s attacking play, with his two goals and an assist to his name in just 4 appearances.
Even though the team is performing at a decent level right now, the manager will be worried about a number of important key men out with injuries. Forward Roger Martri is out until January as he recovers from a Ruptured ACL, while winger Jason injured his hamstring a week ago and is facing two months on the treatment table. Right back Ivan Lopez and defensive midfielder Jefferson Lerna are both out till mid-October with muscular injuries.
ALAVES
After last season’s impressive La Liga campaign, everyone expected Alaves to have at least a decent start to the season, something that they have failed terribly at. The players seem devoid of energy at times, and most disappointing are the fact that even after creating ample chances, they fail to score goals. They haven’t won a single game, and the fans are starting to think that their worst fears will soon become reality: their team getting relegated. Alaves quickly need to see an upturn in form if they are to survive in this league and not get stuck in the relegation spots.
As mentioned above, they have failed to win a single game so far in the league, and all these games, more embarrassingly, have been defeats. Like Crystal Palace in England, this club is finding it incredibly hard to convert chances into goals and defend themselves with one or two goals enough for the opposition to defeat them. With just one goal scored in these six games, while 10 goals have been conceded, the fans will be getting apprehensive for sure.
Their last match was a spirited performance, but a sad ending nonetheless as they lost to Real Madrid by 2:1 at home, before which they lost 1:0 to Deportivo La Coruna away. The fact that they scored their first goal will surely be positive, but it cannot take away the current gloomy air over the training facilities with the players doubting themselves a bit.
The only goal scored by this team this season has come from the unlikely source of defensive Midfielder Manu Garcia. Defenders Victor Languardia and Hernandez will be missing this match with Knee and Malleolar Injuries respectively. On the other hand, Bojan Krkic, who showed some good movement in the match he played so far, is also out with muscular problems.
LEVANTE vs. ALAVES- Match Prediction:
Considering the fact that it is a home fixture for Levante, it is very difficult to envisage anything other than a home win right now; such is the contrast in fortunes for both teams so far. However, we saw some positive play in the Alaves squad, meaning that they won’t let Levante have it easy in this match. Therefore, my prediction will be a close match, which will be edged through by Levante to get the three points.
MY PICK: Levante to win (-102)
LEGANES vs. ATLETICO MADRID
Three-way: 1: Leganes +650; X: +300 Draw; 2: Atletico Madrid -143
Spread +1: Leganes -130; Atletico Madrid +138
Total +2: Over -103; Under +100
LEGANES
Leganes clearly struggled last season, as they left it late to be confirmed that they will be a part of this season in the La Liga. However, they seem to have started the season in decent form for their own standards, as they sit pretty in 7th position in the La Liga table after six matches. Yes, tougher tests lie ahead for the club, but the importance of a positive start cannot be undermined whatsoever, as it might prove the difference between survival and relegation in case they have a dip in form late in the campaign.
Their form over the last six La Liga games has been 3-1-2. Not spectacular, but solid enough, as 10 points from a possible 18 put Leganes in a decent position. During this run, they have scored a total of 5 goals, which leaves a bit more to be desired from the attacking department. On the defensive side, they have conceded just three goals, while keeping an impressive four clean sheets, as they look to make a solid defense their priority.
Their last home match was a solid but drab scoreless draw against Girona, where both the sides looked devoid of much-attacking intent and looked happy to be playing on the safe side. This match was followed by a visit to Las Palmas, where they put in a really professional performance to defeat the home side by 2:0.
Interestingly, no player in the Leganes squad has scored more than a single goal, as Claudio Beauvue, Mantovani, Miguel Guerrero and Javi Eraso have all chipped in with one goal each. This shows that there are more than just a few outlets for goals in the team, but it also points out to the fact that there isn’t anyone strong attacking player in the team who can score goals on a regular basis.
The only injury concern in the squad is of keeper Jon Ander Serantes, who is out with a shoulder injury he picked up at the start of September.
ATLETICO MADRID
After a wobbly start against Girona in the La Liga, they have quickly got back to their original solid play in the league, and have continued to remain unbeaten domestically, although Chelsea proved to be too difficult an opponent in the Champions League this midweek. Diego Simoene’s men are well positioned at 2nd in the La Lila, and he has good alternatives on his bench to call onto in case he needs a change in tactics during a match, something that he has done well so far, which is evident in results.
Apart from their last game in the UCL, they were on a wonderful unbeaten run. Their record over the last six games is 3-2-1, which is a wee bit below the usual Atletico standard, but nothing too serious considering the fact that the league is still in its early stages. During this period, they have scored 6 goals, which is a surprise looking at the attackers that the squad has. However, they have kept four clean sheets and conceded just three goals, highlighting that they are still the defensive wall that made them feared all across Europe.
Their last match was a champion’s league tie against EPL champions Chelsea, who put in an absolute masterclass to defeat the Los Rojiblancos in their majestic new stadium. In the 1:2 defeat, Chelsea put out a blueprint for the rest of the league teams to follow if they wanted to contain Atletico Madrid, something that isn’t easy to do, especially in their own backyard. Prior to this, they had a comfortable win against Sevilla in the La Liga as they ran out 2:0 victors at home.
Winger Carrasco, Correa along with Koke and French superstar Griezmann, have all scored three goals each, showing the wealth of talent in the Atletico Squad. Carrasco and Koke have also provided two assists each, showing the various sides to their games, as they took the reins in the absence of their talismanic striker Griezmann.
Much to the relief of Diego Simeone, Atletico has no new injury concerns apart from midfielder Augusto Fernandez who is out since two weeks ago with a muscular injury.
LEGANES vs. ATLETICO MADRID – Match Prediction
Even though Leganes will be at home and feeling confident of exploiting Atletico’s weaknesses after a tiring clash against Chelsea, it doesn’t really look like a problem for Simeone’s men, who are more than able to handle fixture congestion and still get wins. Therefore, my prediction will be an away win for Atletico, although they will have to work hard against a stubborn Leganes side.
MY PICK: Atletico Madrid to win (+138)
