Levante and Athletic Bilbao kick off Matchday 14 of the 2021/22 La Liga campaign on Friday night, with both sides looking for a change of fortunes.
Athletic Bilbao head to Valencia on a three-game winless run and find themselves eighth in the table – five points outside the top four and ten points shy of first-place Real Sociedad.
🦊 𝗙𝗼𝘅 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘅!🎯 @AritzAduriz11's brace against @LevanteUDen in @LaLigaEN 2014-15.#LevanteAthleticpic.twitter.com/fMzM1XfGHq— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) November 15, 2021
🦊 𝗙𝗼𝘅 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘅!🎯 @AritzAduriz11's brace against @LevanteUDen in @LaLigaEN 2014-15.#LevanteAthleticpic.twitter.com/fMzM1XfGHq
At the opposite end of the standings, Levante sit second from bottom – level with last place Getafe and 12 points behind Athletic Bilbao.
Levante have failed to win any of their 13 La Liga games this season, registering six draws and seven losses along the way.
They have also conceded a whopping 25 goals in the process, meaning they have the worst defensive record in the division.
When you look at the bigger picture, Levante have won just one of their previous 24 La Liga encounters – narrowly avoiding relegation last term.
Levante were on course to win their first match of the season before the international break. However, they conceded two late goals to lose 2-1 to Alaves last time out.
On the flip side, Athletic Bilbao were also beaten before the international break – losing 1-0 to Cadiz on home soil.
They have now failed to win any of their previous three matches, registering two draws and one defeat during that period.
That said, Bilbao are enjoying a six-game unbeaten streak away from home in La Liga, although they have only managed to win three of their last 23 away outings in the league.
It is also worth noting that five of Bilbao’s previous six La Liga games have produced under 2.5 goals, so we could be set for a low-scoring clash on Friday.
Head-to-head: Levante have only managed to win two of their last 14 La Liga meetings with Athletic Bilbao.
Across all competitions, each of the past three encounters between Levante and Athletico Bilbao have ended in a 1-1 draw.
Team news: Levante have no fresh injury worries, although Carlos Clerc and Pepelu are one yellow card away from receiving a suspension.
Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao with be without injured trio Peru Nolaskoain, Yuri Berchiche and Dani Vivian on Friday.
Given that Levante have yet to win a single La Liga game this season, Athletic Bilbao shouldn’t struggle to claim all three points on Friday.
Forbet predicts that Athletic Bilbao will net over 1.5 goals on their way to beating Levante in Valencia.