Levante vs. Espanyol – La Liga Preview
Levante will host Espanyol in this Primera Division fixture at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on 25 September 2011. Both teams have a chance to join the league leaders and continue their excellent start to the season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team will visit Ciutat de http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 in search of their first away win. This promises to be a top contest between two battling teams.
Levante UD
Levante go into this fixture full of promise. They proved to be a bogey team for the title challengers, Real Madrid. Continuing their impressive start to the season, they won on the road against another Capital-based club, Rayo Vallecano.
They have eight points from a possible twelve and a further win will excite the fans further. Levante boast a tactically astute squad who know what is asked of them. Their defence is solid and the manager can be rest assured that they will not give up their
healthy positive 2 goal difference anytime soon.
Levante’s midfield has to be commended for their efforts thus far in the league. They have an uncanny ability to boss possession and a hunger to retain it – a trait noticeable in the teams higher in the table but absent in the lower realms.
RCD Espanyol
Espanyol come into the match standing in 10th place in La Liga table. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mauricio-c24899 Pochettino’s team have six points after recording two wins and two defeats in the four matches played so far.
The team from Catalonia will be looking to get their first win on the road against La Granotes. They started the season with an away loss against Mallorca and were unfortunate not to earn a point for their efforts against Real Zaragoza on the road.
After LOSING Dani http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Walter-Pandiani-c36613 has been well received. The experienced striker led his team to victory
over a resolute Getafe.
Head-to-Head
In the past eight meetings, home teams have generally taken all the points whenever these two outfits have locked horns. Espanyol have the bragging rights in away victories. The Catalan team has four victories in the last eight encounters. Levante won only
once and drew thrice.
Players to watch
Levante’s on-loan striker from Sevilla, Arouna Kone, will be under the spotlight in this fixture. The Ivorian forward can be a menace for defenders and his exemplary levelheadedness will be a trait Levante will be looking to build upon.
Captain http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gustavo-Cabral-c15413 will partner each other in defence. La Granotes have two able players on guard duties and they should be able to tackle anything that the visitors throw at them.
Catalonia-born Sergio Garcia will be Espanyol’s goal threat. The Spanish attacker will be looking to lock horns with the Levante defence, hoping to overcome their resilient attitude.
However, importance of Cameroonian goalkeeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carlos-Kameni-c8464 cannot be ignored. The 27-year-old is ever dependable in goal. He is the main reason Espanyol do not have a negative goal difference.
Prediction
Levante are tipped to win this match. The home side are experiencing a magnanimous start to the season after bagging all three points against Real Madrid. Penetrating their defence will be difficult and they should win with ease.
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