Levante vs Barcelona Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

Preview

Joel Amorim Feb 04, 2016 @ 01:40 am

Next Sunday, 7th of February 2016, the league leaders Barcelona will travel to Comunidad Valenciana to measure forces with Levante at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia for Round 23 of the Spanish Liga BBVA.

Barcelona have cemented their position at the top of La Liga after last Saturday’s win over their Madrid rivals Atlético. It wasn’t by any means an easy match for Barça, but in the end, the Catalan team managed to claw the three points against a nine-man Atlético de Madrid.

The Colchoneros started the match at full speed and opened the score by the Spanish versatile midfielder Koke, who sent home a good cross by Saul Niguez. The visitors were the best team for the first 15 or 20 minutes, but after that, Barça piled on the pressure up front and pushed Atlético against the ropes for quite some time. Barcelona’s tenacity allowed them to score two goals in just eight minutes and they went to the break leading by 2-1, thanks to goals by the usual suspects, Leo Messi and Luis Suárez. Atlético had once again a good start in the second-half, but when Godin was sent-off their strategy went down the drain.

Last Wednesday’s night, Barça hammered Valencia by 7-0 in the first-leg match of the Copa del Rey. Luis Suárez netted four goals and Leo Messi did the rest in what was a memorable night at Camp Nou.

For next weekend’s match against Levante, Luis Enrique will only not be able to rely on the contribution of Rafinha, who remains sidelined due to a long term injury. The remaining players are available for the league leaders visit to Comunidad Valenciana.

As for Levante, after their important home win over UD Las Palmas, the Granotes failed to extend their winning streak on their visit to Andalusia last Sunday’s morning. The home side, Sevilla, were far too strong for the mighty Levante’s players and ended up winning the match by 3-1. The newcomer Giuseppe Rossi, who arrived last week on loan from Fiorentina, netted his first goal for the Granotes, but it wasn’t enough to disturb an extremely inspired Sevilla team.

For next round’s extremely difficult match against the league leaders Barcelona, Levante’s head coach Rubi, will not be able to rely on the services of Jose Mari, Ruben Garcia and Pedro Lopez, all currently sidelined due to injury.

Levante

Stats: W-2 L-3 D-0

Recent Form - LWLWL

Barcelona

Stats: W-5 L-0 D-0

Recent Form - WWWWW

Possible Line-ups

Levante (4-3-3) - Marino - López - Trujillo - Feddal - Tono - Simão - Lerma - Verza - Morales - Rossi - Deyverson

Barcelona (4-3-3) - Bravo - Alves - Piqué - Mascherano - Jordi Alba - Busquets - Rakitic - Iniesta - Neymar - Suárez - Messi

Injury List / Suspended Players

Levante - Pedro Lopez (inj) - Ruben Garcia (inj) - Jose Mari (inj)

Barcelona - Rafinha (inj)

Head-to-head matches:

League Positions