Levante vs Real Madrid: Madrid Travel To Valencia To Defend Their Top Spot

It’s Real Madrid’s fifth game in less than two weeks. Jose Mourinho has time and again been complaining about the fixtures and their timing. But, for the first time in four games, Real have had at least five days to rest as they look to maintain their position as leaders in the Spanish League standings. Levante on the other hand, have had a start you would expect of a typical mid table struggler. These two clash today at the Estadi Ciutat de València.

Typical start and a tough task

After making a typical start to the campaign, Levante now face a tough opponent in Real Madrid. The Valencian outfit will know that it’ll take a miracle to beat the capital giants. They have to play the game of their lives and hope Real Madrid’s superstars are terribly out of form which would maybe then give them a chance of creating a major upset. However, a draw could also be a huge morale boost if they manage to get it. Luis Garcia, their coach admits a desire to beat Madrid, but it looks highly improbable that his wish will be fulfilled at the end of the game.

Teams hand title to Barca

It’s still week five in the Spanish League, yet Jose Mourinho has not shied away from speaking his way. A couple of days back, “The Special One” criticized Sporting Gijon and their coach for rolling over easily against Barcelona by fielding a weaker side. Although Barca only managed to win that game 1-0, Mourinho felt if Gijon had a stronger side, there was a chance Madrid would now be three points ahead of their arch rivals. Perhaps Mourinho is trying to motivate Barca’s next opponent Athletic Bilbao at San Mames. Whatever the case, Madrid is dependant on themselves and should be looking to continue leading the table by getting a convincing victory against Levante. But one thing that might act as a distraction is a tricky trip to France to face Auxerre on tueday.

Probable Starting Lineups

Levante: The Valencia outfit will be looking to lineup their best to try and get something from the game.

Probable Lineup: Manolo; Robuste-Ballesteros-Del Horno-Nano; Xisco-Xavi Torres-Sergio-Pallardo; Ruben-Jorde.

Real Madrid: Pepe has been suspended as a result of his red card against Espanyol. Mourinho will have to shuffle his backline a little as neither Albiol nor Garay can be the direct replacements for Pepe’s absence because of their injuries. Ramos will partner Carvalho in the middle as Arbeloa will step in to take the right back slot. Khedira should be back to the starting eleven after being rested in the midweek. Xabi, Ronaldo, Ozil, and Higuain will all start. It would be interesting though if Mourinho will start with Benzema or Di Maria. The former has been showing confidence on the pitch and even got a much needed goal against Espanyol. Mourinho has also told that he has the confidence in Benzema and that he deserves more time on the pitch. Expect him to send out Benzema and rest Di Maria for the midweek UCL encounter.

Probable Lineup: Casillas; Arbeloa-Ramos-Carvalho-Marcelo; Khedira-Alonso; Ronaldo-Ozil-Benzema; Higuain

Form Guide

Levante: WLLLL

Real Madrid: WWWWD

TheHardTackle’s Player to watch out for

Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid)

The Argentine International has had a timid start to the campaign by his standards. He has missed buckets of chances and has so far managed to rattle the back of the net only thrice in five games. But if there’s one

It’s Real Madrid’s fifth game in less than two weeks. Jose Mourinho has time and again been complaining about the fixtures and their timing. But, for the first time in four games, Real have had at least five days to rest as they look to maintain their position as leaders in the Spanish League standings. Levante on the other hand, have had a start you would expect of a typical mid table struggler. These two clash today at the Estadi Ciutat de València.

Typical start and a tough task

After making a typical start to the campaign, Levante now face a tough opponent in Real Madrid. The Valencian outfit will know that it’ll take a miracle to beat the capital giants. They have to play the game of their lives and hope Real Madrid’s superstars are terribly out of form which would maybe then give them a chance of creating a major upset. However, a draw could also be a huge morale boost if they manage to get it. Luis Garcia, their coach admits a desire to beat Madrid, but it looks highly improbable that his wish will be fulfilled at the end of the game.

Teams hand title to Barca

It’s still week five in the Spanish League, yet Jose Mourinho has not shied away from speaking his way. A couple of days back, “The Special One” criticized Sporting Gijon and their coach for rolling over easily against Barcelona by fielding a weaker side. Although Barca only managed to win that game 1-0, Mourinho felt if Gijon had a stronger side, there was a chance Madrid would now be three points ahead of their arch rivals. Perhaps Mourinho is trying to motivate Barca’s next opponent Athletic Bilbao at San Mames. Whatever the case, Madrid is dependant on themselves and should be looking to continue leading the table by getting a convincing victory against Levante. But one thing that might act as a distraction is a tricky trip to France to face Auxerre on tueday.

Probable Starting Lineups

Levante: The Valencia outfit will be looking to lineup their best to try and get something from the game.

Probable Lineup: Manolo; Robuste-Ballesteros-Del Horno-Nano; Xisco-Xavi Torres-Sergio-Pallardo; Ruben-Jorde.

Real Madrid: Pepe has been suspended as a result of his red card against Espanyol. Mourinho will have to shuffle his backline a little as neither Albiol nor Garay can be the direct replacements for Pepe’s absence because of their injuries. Ramos will partner Carvalho in the middle as Arbeloa will step in to take the right back slot. Khedira should be back to the starting eleven after being rested in the midweek. Xabi, Ronaldo, Ozil, and Higuain will all start. It would be interesting though if Mourinho will start with Benzema or Di Maria. The former has been showing confidence on the pitch and even got a much needed goal against Espanyol. Mourinho has also told that he has the confidence in Benzema and that he deserves more time on the pitch. Expect him to send out Benzema and rest Di Maria for the midweek UCL encounter.

Probable Lineup: Casillas; Arbeloa-Ramos-Carvalho-Marcelo; Khedira-Alonso; Ronaldo-Ozil-Benzema; Higuain

Form Guide

Levante: WLLLL

Real Madrid: WWWWD

TheHardTackle’s Player to watch out for

Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid)

The Argentine International has had a timid start to the campaign by his standards. He has missed buckets of chances and has so far managed to rattle the back of the net only thrice in five games. But if there’s one person who has time and again proved that he can bounce back from adversity, it’s Higuain. Benzema is fast approaching to make a case for the striker’s spot. So expect Higuain to shake himself out of the comfort zone and bounce back in style.

TheHardTackle’s Prediction

Levante 0-3 Real Madrid

Real Madrid has struggled to find the back of the net consistently so far this season. The 3-0 scoreline in midweek against Espanyol was a little flattering. But this might exactly be the kind of game the Merengues want to start showing fluidity and ruthlessness in front of the goal. Expect plenty of goals and a solid and disciplined performance from the Los Galacticos.

person who has time and again proved that he can bounce back from adversity, it’s Higuain. Benzema is fast approaching to make a case for the striker’s spot. So expect Higuain to shake himself out of the comfort zone and bounce back in style.

TheHardTackle’s Prediction

Levante 0-3 Real Madrid

Real Madrid has struggled to find the back of the net consistently so far this season. The 3-0 scoreline in midweek against Espanyol was a little flattering. But this might exactly be the kind of game the Merengues want to start showing fluidity and ruthlessness in front of the goal. Expect plenty of goals and a solid and disciplined performance from the Los Galacticos.