Will Bilbao find their way back to winning ways at stumbling Levante?

In the Spanish top flight, meanwhile, there is only one team that has yet to record a single win after twelve matchdays. We are talking about Levante DU, currently second from last in Spain’s La Liga. On Friday evening, the “Granotes” will have their next attempt when they meet the guests from Bilbao at the Ciutat de València.

In contrast to the hosts from Valencia, Athletic Bilbao have made a promising start to the season and are in eighth place after twelve matchdays – with one match still to be played. It was only before the international break that the Basques slumped and slipped from the international starting places.

Since their home win over Villarreal, Bilbao have gone winless in three straight games. This includes the most recent defeat against Cadiz CF, where “Los Leones” also failed to score for the first time since matchday eight. It is quite possible that frustration will now be overcome against the upcoming opponents. After all, Friday’s opponents from Valencia have the weakest defence in the Spanish top flight.

After 13 matchdays, Levante UD have already conceded 25 goals. Five of the 25 goals conceded have come in the last two matchdays. It is therefore no surprise that Levante vs. Athletic Bilbao odds have the visitors as favourites

Levante – Statistics & current form

The “Granotes” from Valencia failed to achieve the desired turnaround even after the change of coach. As was the case before the appointment of new coach Javier Pereira, who took over the team just under a month ago, Levante UD are waiting in vain for their first win in the Spanish top flight.

After 13 matchdays, the stumbling club from Valencia is in penultimate place in the table. Level on points with last-place Getafe, Levante currently benefit only from a better goal difference, although that statistic is by no means praiseworthy. With a total of 25 goals conceded in 13 matchdays, the “Granotes” have the weakest defensive line in La Liga.

Granada CF, with only eleven goals one of the weakest offensive teams in the Spanish top flight, scored three goals against Levante and thus fought their way out of the bottom of the table before the international break. Against Athletic Bilbao, it will therefore only be a matter of time before the first goal rings in the Valencians’ box on Friday evening.

Is Levante still winless at home?

The “Granotes” have not won a home game since March 2021. Meanwhile, Levante have been winless at home for eleven matches in a row across the season. This season, the bottom team from Valencia has a record of 0-4-2 at the Estadi Ciutat de València.

At home, Levante have scored against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, but have lost to Celta Vigo and Granada. Because Levante have not won any of their last three competitive games at home against their upcoming opponents from Bilbao since December 2018, it cannot be ruled out that the next setback will follow on Friday night.

The last time the two clubs met this calendar year, Athletic Bilbao prevailed in the Copa del Rey and eliminated the “Granotes” from the semi-finals of the Spanish cup competition. So now there is a chance for revenge for Levante. Head coach Javier Pereira is only expected to be without four players due to injury on Friday night.

Levante’s likely line-up:
Fernandez – Miramon, Vezo, Pier, Clerc – Bardhi, Campana, Radoja – Cantero, Soldado, Morales

Last matches played by Levante:

LaLiga
11/06 2021 – Deportivo Alaves 2 – 1 Levante

11/01 2021 – Levante 0 – 3 Granada

10/28 2021 – Levante 2 – 2 Atletico Madrid

10/24 2021 – Sevilla 5 – 3 Levante

10/16 2021 – Levante 0 – 0 Getafe

Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & current form

A few weeks ago, Athletic Bilbao were still among the best five teams in La Liga. Because the Basques only picked up two points in the last three matchdays, their good starting position in the standings has deteriorated again. The lions from the Basque country are now in eighth place and have not scored three times since the tenth matchday.

Before the international break, Bilbao even suffered a surprising defeat against Cadiz CF, in which the Basques squandered home advantage against the relegation-threatened club from Andalusia. Bilbao now have the chance to make amends away from home, as they face the second-last team in the league on Friday.

So far, Athletic Bilbao have not lost in six away games this season. Among others, the “Los Leones” have already scored against strong home teams such as Atletico Madrid, Valencia and also leaders Real Sociedad. Therefore, it is also reasonable to predict a point win for the visitors in Levante vs. Athletic Bilbao.

Basque defence difficult to break down

The showpiece of the team this season is undoubtedly the strong defence. After twelve matchdays, Athletic Bilbao have conceded just eight goals. This makes Bilbao the second strongest defensive bulwark in La Liga. Only Sevilla FC conceded fewer goals (7) than “Los Leones” in this period.

On the offensive side, however, there is room for improvement. Eleven goals after twelve matchdays do not reflect the quality of the Basque attack. The most valuable player in the ranks of the Lions is currently Inaki Williams. The 27-year-old goal-scorer has already scored three goals this season and thus leads the internal goalscoring list.

As he did against Cadiz CF, Williams will be up top with Sancet in head coach Marcelino’s 4-4-2. In any case, no major changes are expected for the Basque visitors. Marcelino will only have to do without Berchiche, Nolaskoian and Vivian due to injury. There are no other absentees for Athletic.

Predicted line-up of Athletic Bilbao:
Simon – Lekue, Alvarez, Martinez, Balenziaga – Berenguer, Vencedor, Garcia, Muniain – Williams, Garcia

Last matches played by Athletic Bilbao:

LaLiga
11/05 2021 – Athletic Bilbao 0 – 1 Cadiz

10/31 2021 – San Sebastian 1 – 1 Athletic Bilbao

10/26 2021 – Espanyol 1 – 1 Athletic Bilbao

10/23 2021 – Athletic Bilbao 2 – 1 FC Villarreal

10/01 2021 – Athletic Bilbao 1 – 0 Deportivo Alaves

Levante – Athletic Bilbao Direct comparison / H2H record

For the 33rd time Levante and Athletic Bilbao will meet. The Basques currently lead the direct comparison against their upcoming opponents from Valencia with a record of 18-7-7. A total of 86 goals have been scored in the 32 games between the two clubs – an average of 2.69 goals per game.

Athletic Bilbao remain unbeaten in their last seven competitive matches against Levante. Last season, the two clubs met four times, with three draws and one win for the Basque Lions. Athletic Bilbao also eliminated Friday’s opponents from Valencia from the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey 2021, among others.

Levante – Athletic Bilbao Tip

For the 33rd time Levante and Athletic Bilbao will meet. The Basques currently lead the head-to-head comparison against their upcoming opponents from Valencia with a record of 18-7-7. A total of 86 goals have been scored in the 32 games between the two clubs – an average of 2.69 goals per game.

Athletic Bilbao remain unbeaten in their last seven competitive matches against Levante. Last season, the two clubs met four times, with three draws and one win for the Basque Lions. Athletic Bilbao also eliminated Friday’s opponents from Valencia from the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey 2021, among other victories.

It is quite possible that the crisis at the hosts from Valencia will worsen against the visitors from Bilbao. The strong defensive bulwark speaks for a point win in favour of the Basques. After all, Athletic Bilbao has the best defensive line in the league behind Sevilla FC.

With a stake of four units, we dare to bet on Levante vs. Athletic Bilbao with good odds on the guests.