Conference League Qualifiers hopefuls Valencia continue their bid to secure a spot in next season’s competition at Estadio de Mestalla on Saturday, when they host rivals Levante, who are aiming to improve their chances of avoiding relegation.
The hosts are currently sitting 10th in the La Liga standings, having played 33 matches to collect 42 points, scoring 44 goals and conceding 48 in the process. They trail sixth-placed Real Sociedad by 13 points for a spot in the Conference League Qualifiers.
Jose Bordalas’ side lost their last La Liga match 2-0 at Estadio de la Ceramica against Villarreal, extending their winless run to four matches – two draws and two losses. Arnaut converted from the penalty spot in the 10th minute before scoring his second in the 17th minute to seal the victory of the day.
That followed with another defeat in the Copa del Rey on Saturday, where they lost to Real Betis through penalties after the game ended in a 1-1 draw at Estadio Olimpico de Sevilla. Borja Iglesias scored for Real Betis in the 11th minute before Hugo Duro restored parity in the 30th minute. Valencia then lost 5-4 in the penalties.
They welcome a Levante side they defeated 4-3 in their last meeting at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia in December.
Meanwhile, Levante’s last La Liga match saw them beaten 3-2 by Sevilla at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, leaving them in 19th spot on 25 points, six points from safety with five matches to play.
Granotes have been spearheaded in the final third by Jose Luis Morales, who has scored on 12 occasions, including four match-opening goals.
Alessio Lisci’s side will be looking to address a poor run of results away from home this season having picked up three draws, 11 losses and just two wins in league away matches.
Valencia vs Levante head to head
The two sides have previously met on 31 occasions across all competitions, where Valencia have claimed 16 victories while Levante have won six, and they have drawn in nine. Valencia have scored 57 goals and conceded 30. In their last five meetings, Valencia have won three, Levante one with one draw.
Levante 0-0 Valencia 29/08/20
Valencia 4-2 Levante 13/09/20
Levante 1-0 Valencia 12/03/21
Valencia 1-0 Levante 30/07/21
Levante 3-4 Valencia 20/12/21
Valencia latest home form
Valencia lost their last home game 2-1 to Osasuna in the league. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their three matches prior to that. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded seven.
Valencia 1-4 Barcelona 20/02/22
Valencia 1-0 Athletic Bilbao 02/03/22
Valencia 3-1 Granada 05/03/22
Valencia 0-0 Cadiz 03/04/22
Valencia 1-2 Osasuna 16/04/22
Valencia latest away form
Valencia have recently been on a poor run of form on the road, having lost their last two matches. In their last away game, they lost through penalties to Real Betis after a 1-1 draw in the Copa del Rey. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded four.
Getafe 0-0 Valencia 12/03/22
Elche 0-1 Valencia 19/03/22
Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Valencia 11/04/22
Villarreal 2-0 Valencia 19/04/22
Real Betis (P)1-1 Valencia 23/04/22
Levante latest home form
Levante have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just two of their seven most recent matches. In their last home game, they were defeated 3-2 by Sevilla in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded seven.
Levante 3-0 Elche 25/02/22
Levante 1-1 Espanyol 12/03/22
Levante 2-0 Villarreal 02/04/22
Levante 2-3 Barcelona 10/04/22
Levante 2-3 Sevilla 21/04/22
Levante latest away form
Levante won their last away game, defeating Granada 4-1 in the league. However, they have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, as they have won just two of their last nine matches. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded eight.
Atletico Madrid 0-1 Levante 16/02/22
Celta Vigo 1-1 Levante 21/02/22
Athletic Bilbao 3-1 Levante 07/03/22
Osasuna 3-1 Levante 19/03/22
Granada 1-4 Levante 17/04/22
Valencia news
Valencia head into Saturday’s game on a clean bill of health and without any suspension issues to deal with, and they are expected name an unchanged XI from last time out.
Marcos de Sousa is set to lead the line, supported by Helder Costa, Yunus Musah, Uros Racic and Carlos Soler.
Levante news
Levante will have to make do without forward Roger Marti and defender Shkodran Mustafi, who are both suffering muscle injuries.
Martin Caceres is out of contention through a hamstring injury, while Jorge de Frutos will be absent due to a foot injury, and Carlos Clerc will remain sidelined with a knee injury.
Prediction and Odds
Levante have recently failed to keep a good record in their matches on the road, but have scored in each of their last five away matches.
That considered, Valencia will be firm with their defence and accurate in their final third, and we expect a home win or a draw on Saturday.
Odds: 1 2.15 X 2.05 2 2.30
Probable outcomes
Valencia 1-0 Levante
Valencia 2-0 Levante
Valencia 2-1 Levante
Valencia 0-0 Levante
Valencia 1-1 Levante
