The action in the Spanish La Liga continues this Saturday, after some great excitements in the third round. In this preview, we would like to take a look at two exciting games. Levante hosts Valencia in the city derby, while Barcelona travels to Getafe where they expect to get all three points.
In order to get you the best betting tips and predictions, we’ll do a proper research about these two encounters. So, let’s start with the first game.
LEVANTE vs. VALENCIA
Three-Way: 1: Levante +231; X: +246 Draw; 2: Valencia +148
Spread 0: Levante +138; Valencia -137
Total +2.5: Over +114; Under -115
LEVANTE
The Frogs are back in the La Liga after they spent last year in the second tier, and it looks like they want to play here for another season. In the last round, Levante made the biggest surprise of the season so far, when they upset Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu, playing a 1:1 draw with champions of the Spain and Europa. Nobody expected to see them taking anything out of the clash against Los Blancos, but they were brave and well-organized at the back, with such an inspired goalkeeper. Raul Fernandez, the 29-year old goalkeeper, was Levante’s hero, stopping almost every Real Madrid’s chance to score. He had nine saves and pulled quite an impressive performance against one of the best attacks in the world.
Levante is not just a defensive team, as they are 4th in the La Liga rankings when it comes to creating chances, and only Real Madrid, Barcelona and Celta Vigo are better in this segment. The Frogs managed to create 35 goal scoring opportunities, and the biggest threat for their rivals is a Macedonian midfielder Enis Bardhi, who had 9 key passes in just two games (he was on the bench against Real Madrid). The only concern is that all four goals came after set pieces, two of them after penalties. They will need to be more decisive in the final third, as they have a good passing game, with 80% of pass accuracy per game.
Levante’s manager is surely proud of his boys after the first three rounds of the La Liga, and for this game, he’ll have some concerns about starting eleven. Ivan Lopez and Roger Marti are unavailable due to injuries, while winger Jose Luis Morales is suspended.
VALENCIA
With five points out of the first three games, Los Murcielagos should feel radiant, especially when we look at their last season’s displays. The schedule was a pretty tight one, as Valencia played against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Las Palmas. They managed to stay undefeated, and it was a great success. Now they are facing their city rivals, looking for another good game.
Great display at Santiago Bernabeu where they’ve shocked the defending La Liga champion with a 2:2 draw, and a goalless match in the last round with Atleti at home, could be indicators of a great season. Valencia is playing an entertaining and attacking football, but unlike the last season, they look nice at the defensive end. Clean sheets against Las Palmas and Atletico Madrid are pretty encouraging, although Marcelinho’s players are winning just 40% of duels per game.
Daniel Parejo is leading his team from the midfield with 175 completed passes and 91% of pass accuracy. Carlos Soler is in great form at the start of the season, and he created eight scoring opportunities, adding one assist to his name. Andreas Pereira, a new arrival from Manchester United, started the last game against Atletico Madrid, and now I expect to see him again in the starting lineup. After some injury problems in the last couple of weeks, the situation is much better now at Mestalla. Centre-back Ruben Vezo is the only unavailable player for the clash due to a fractured toe.
LEVANTE vs. VALENCIA – Match Prediction
In the last six La Liga games between these two city rivals, the home team won. The last draw was four years ago when the match finished 2:2 at Mestalla. Both teams are in a good form, so I expect to see a great game, and maybe the end of the home team’s winning string. Valencia has better players on the paper, and I think the best bet is to put your money on Valencia.
MY PICK: Valencia to win (+148)
GETAFE vs. BARCELONA
Three-Way: 1: Getafe +1250; X: +580 Draw; 2: Barcelona -278
Spread +1.5: Getafe +135; Barcelona -118
Total +3.5: Over +110; Under -109
GETAFE
Two tremendous goals at Leganes in the last game of the La Liga was enough to secure the first victory for The Deep Blues in the new season. Arambarri’s goal in the 39th minute is arguably the most beautiful strike of the season so far, and you have to see it if you didn’t yet. Guerrero’s strike just outside of the box in the 83rd minute brought the victory to Getafe, but he and his teammates need to thank their magnificent goalkeeper Guaita, who saved the penalty before the winning goal.
Getafe is playing really well at the start of the season, and they’ve even outplayed Sevilla in the second round in spite of the defeat. Now they host one of the greatest teams on Earth, and it will be a great challenge for Pepe Bordalas’ team. We expect to see a defensive formation, as forwards Karim Yoda, Dani Pacheco, and Jefferson Montero are all out due to injuries.
BARCELONA
With three consecutive wins at the start of the La Liga, and a 9:0 goal difference, Barcelona is the main contender for the trophy this season. In the last encounter Blaugrana easily defeated city rivals Espanyol, and now they are looking to stay on the winning path with a new three points from Getafe.
Barca won the opening match of the UEFA Champions League against Juventus, 3:0, so Ernesto Valverde should be happy with the defensive work. The French youngster Ousmane Dembele made his first start against Juve, but Lionel Messi was a central figure once again, scoring his first two goals in a career against the living legend, Gianluigi Buffon. Barca’s finishing was lethal in this game, with three goals out of just nine shots.
Valverde’s guys created 44 scoring chances in the first three rounds of the Spanish La Liga, and they average 61% of the ball possession per game. Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic is in the top form, and he completed 247 passes so far 93% of pass accuracy. He’s a creative force in the Barca’s midfield, and he proved that against Espanyol when he was unstoppable. Luis Suarez is back in the team after a light injury, and now Barca is scoring much more easily. We expect to see more of the same from the Blaugrana, as they want to stay on the top of the table.
There are no serious injury troubles among the squad, but Paco Alcacer, Arda Turan, and Rafinha should be out because of injuries.
GETAFE vs. BARCELONA – Match Prediction
It looks like Barca is not in their pick of the form yet, so I’m looking for another confident victory. Getafe is playing well, and maybe they are capable of scoring in this match. Barca didn’t concede a single goal in the first three La Liga rounds, but I’ll put the money on Barcelona to win, even if they allow Getafe to find the net.
MY PICK: Barcelona -1.5 AH (-118)
