La Liga Prediction: Week 19
Villarreal and Levante have different resolutions for the new year when they take on each other for the first time at La Liga this season. The latter is looking to get out of the drop zone to Segunda, while the former is looking to make a push for European football in 2022-23.
Overview
Tenth on the table, Unai Emery’s men are five points and four spots behind Rayo Vallecano for the last European spot. On a roll following a three-match winning run in the league (five straight in all competitions), victory could see El Submarino Amarillo leapfrog past archrivals Valencia with a better goal difference.
On the other hand, Levante are dead last with just eight points in 18 matches. They also carry the dubious distinction of being the lone club without a league win at this point of the season.
Having gone through their third manager this season in Alessio Lisci, the Granotes continue to endure a rough patch with their longest winless streak at the top flight. They were even knocked out of the Copa del Rey by third tier outfit (and fellow Valencian side) Alcoyano on penalties on December 14, six days before losing to Valencia after blowing a 2-0 first half lead.
Stats
Having only met 24 times at La Liga for the past 16 seasons, Villarreal have won two-thirds of their fixtures, with Levante winning six times, the two ending up in a draw twice.
The yellow-shirted side started their dominance by going seven matches unbeaten since 2005-06, before Valdo’s stunner at El Madrigal in 2011 kickstarted a three-match winning streak for Levante. After Villarreal responded with a run of four wins, the pair traded victories in their next two seasons at La Liga, holding serve each time.
Currently, Villareal CF are on a three-match win streak, including a 5-1 shellacking of Levante UD last season.
Despite its status as the lesser known of the derbies in the Valencian community, the matches between the two sides are tight. The 2-1 scoreline has occurred six times, Villarreal winning all but one of those.
Recent form (last five matches)
Villareal
defeated Alavés, 5-2
defeated Real Sociedad, 3-1
defeated Atlético Sanluqueño, 7-1
defeated Rayo Vallecano, 2-0
defeated Atalanta, 3-2
Levante
lost to Valencia, 3-4
lost to Alcoyano, 3-1 via penalty (3-3 at end of regulation)
lost to Espanyol, 3-4
drew with Osasuna, 0-0
defeated Huracán Melilla, 8-0
Prediction
With form and history on their side, Villarreal should get all those three points as they are the better side than Levante. However, the latter should not be disheartened for being at the wrong end of a pair of seven-goal thrillers in which they had the upper hand each time, as Lisci’s men are already overdue for a win.
Tips
Villareal to win
Over 1.5 goals
