Home LALIGA News Update LaLiga Matches La Liga Prediction: week 18 (Levante vs Valencia)

La Liga Prediction: week 18 (Levante vs Valencia)

Another derby is scheduled to be played in this week’s La Liga with Valencia CF taking a short trip to Ciutat de València to play last placed Levante UD on December 21. Will Levante be able to break through ten points after this match? Or will Valencia score full points in their chase for a slot for continental competition? 

Overview 

Save for a first round win at the Copa del Rey, Levante have never won a match this season. All their league points have come from draws, the most recent being a scoreless fixture against Osasuna at home on December 5. Their last league match was a 3-4 defeat to Espanyol on the road. 

On the other hand, Valencia are on the other side of the spectrum, having won their last four matches in all competitions. They were last defeated by Real Betis, 1-4, on October 28. Their last league result was a 2-1 win over Elche. 

Stats 

Both teams’ matches average roughly less than three goals. However, there is a notable drop in goals scored at Ciutat de València, with just a shade of over two goals. 

Proof of that is in Levante’s recent form, clinching eight goals in Melilla but ending scoreless in 90 minutes against Osasuna. The last time they scored in front of their home crowd was in a 2-2 draw versus Atlético Madrid in the last week of October. 

Valencia are pretty much consistent wherever they play. This means that the dependent variable in this game are The Frogs. 

The two split their encounters last season, the home side winning each time. Consistent to what was pointed out above, Levante won with a scoreline of 1-0. They last met on July 30 in a preseason friendly in Villareal’s training ground with Valencia prevailing, 1-0. 

Recent form (last five matches) 

Levante 

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 

lost to Real Betis, 1-3 

Valencia 

defeated Arenteiro, 3-1 

defeated Elche, 2-1 

defeated Celta Vigo, 2-1 

defeated Utrillas, 3-0 

drew with Rayo Vallecano, 1-1 

Prediction 

Levante have alternated between losses and draws their past five La Liga matches. If the trend continues, then that means this incoming contest would finish a draw. Those with higher constitution can consider this. 

The lower hanging fruit is still Valencia winning, just look for the payout if it is worth going for. Still, there is this lingering thought of Levante being due for a win – and what better time to do it but against a familiar opponent in front of an agreeable audience. 

Betting over 2.5 goals is a crapshoot, so choosing under 2.5 or over 1.5 are safer options. The only way the first outcome would happen is that Valencia would rain goals, which is still highly likely, considering the chasm between the two local rivals at this point. 

Tips 

Valencia win 

Over 1.5 goals