Levante vs Barcelona 02/11/19

2 November 2019

Backed by a 2-1 away win over Real Sociedad during midweek, Levante face a daunting prospect of overcoming the current La Liga (LL) champions Barcelona at the Estadi Ciutat de València.

The hosts’ unbeaten start to their LL home season (W2, D2) has suffered a setback with Espanyol securing a narrow 1-0 triumph here last time out. Action in Levante’s home games usually sparks into life after the break, with five of eight goals scored/conceded coming in the second half. The Frogs’ inability to keep a clean sheet can cost them dearly here, as Paco Lopez’s men have conceded at least one goal in six consecutive LL fixtures in the build-up to this meeting. Another potential worry for the home fans is that Levante have scored just one goal in their last three LL home games.

Meanwhile, the visitors have hit a purple patch over the past five weeks, racking up a seven-game winning run in all competitions. Although only three of those triumphs have been followed by a clean sheet, all seven have seen Barcelona score at least two goals. The Catalans have not only achieved a league double over Levante in 2018/19, but they have also picked up three wins in their last four top-flight trips to the Estadi Ciutat de València (L1). While all of those victories witnessed the Blaugrana keep a clean sheet, two have come via the intimidating five-goal margin. It is a record that can encourage Ernesto Valverde’s men to post their third consecutive LL away win and undo a dreadful start to their LL away campaign (D1, L2).