In a pivotal La Liga clash, Levante will face Real Oviedo at the Ciutat de Valencia on Saturday evening. Both teams find themselves in a relegation battle, making this match critical for their survival hopes as the season comes to a close.
Match Preview: Levante vs Real Oviedo
Levante’s return to La Liga has been far from successful. The team currently occupies the 19th position, struggling to avoid an immediate return to the Segunda Division. After last season’s promotion, hopes were high, but a disappointing run of form has left the club in jeopardy. Following four consecutive losses, they parted ways with head coach Julian Calero. Luis Castro took charge in December, but results have been disappointing, with just five wins from 28 matches, complemented by eight draws and 15 defeats.
Recently, Levante appears to be showing signs of improvement. They are unbeaten in their last three matches, which includes a victory over Alaves and draws against Girona and Rayo Vallecano. However, defensive issues persist, as they have conceded 46 goals this season—one of the worst records in the league. Positive memories from their earlier encounter with Real Oviedo, where they won 2-0, could boost their confidence.
Real Oviedo’s Struggles
Contrastingly, Real Oviedo sits at the bottom of the table in 20th place. Their record includes just four wins, nine draws, and 15 defeats from 28 matches. The team’s scoring problems are pronounced, with only 18 goals registered this season, marking them as the least prolific scorers in La Liga. Despite these challenges, they enter this match with renewed optimism following a crucial 1-0 victory against Valencia, which may serve as a launching pad for their survival efforts. Currently, they are seven points behind safety.
Instability has characterized their season as well, with the club now on its third manager after the departures of Veljko Paunovic and Luis Carrion. The results have echoed the turmoil, placing greater pressure on Guillermo Almada’s squad.
Team News
Levante has several players unavailable due to injuries. Roger Brugue has been out since December with a ligament injury, and Pablo Martinez is doubtful for the match. Carlos Alvarez and Unai Elgezabal are also expected to miss the game due to muscle injuries. However, Jon Olasagasti returns after a suspension and may regain a starting spot. Watch out for 20-year-old Carlos Espi, who has scored four goals in his last three matches.
Real Oviedo will evaluate the conditions of Lucas Ahijado, Thiago Borbas, and Ovie Ejaria before the match. Jaime Vazquez is out with a long-term groin injury, and Leander Dendoncker will also miss the fixture due to a muscle issue.
Potential Lineups
| Levante | Real Oviedo |
|---|---|
| Ryan; | Escandell; |
| Toljan, Moreno, Matturro, Sanchez; | Lopez, Costas, Bailly, Vidal; |
| Rey, Losada; | Ilic, Fonseca, Sibo, Fernandez; |
| Garcia, Romero, Tunde; | Vinas, Reina; |
Match Prediction
This matchup between Levante and Real Oviedo could end in a 1-1 draw. With both teams facing challenges in consistency and scoring, a tightly contested game is expected. Levante’s recent slight improvement may give them an edge, while Real Oviedo’s recent victory could provide the morale boost needed to claim a point.
