Levante host Celta Vigo in their second La Liga fixture of the new season. The Granotas picked up a win in their season opener thrashing Real Betis 3-0. Paco Lopez’s team played well and now the manager hopes to keep things going at home.
Celta Vigo could only manage a draw to open the season. Antonio Mohamed’s team came from behind to earn a point against Espanyol. However, the team’s attack was unable to get the goal as an Espanyol own goal enabled the club to get a share of the spoils.
Lopez’s Levante surprised many with their three-goal win against Real Betis. However, the club has been solid since Lopez took over the side last term. Levante struggled with relegation, but Lopez was able to win eight of the team’s final 11 matches. It pulled Levante away from the relegation zone. Now, he has started the season well with Levante and they could continue to surprise La Liga followers.
Celta Vigo finished last term just two places above Levante. The Sky Blues hired Mohamed to steer Celta Vigo back to the heights they enjoyed when they made the Europa League final two seasons ago. Mohamed is untested in European football and until this season spent his time managing in Mexico. The Argentine had been working in Mexico since 2003 prior to being hired to lead Celta Vigo forward.
Despite Celta Vigo’s struggles in front of goal last week, they had a tremendously successful strike partnership between Iago Aspas and Maxi Gomez. Celta Vigo have dominated the last six fixtures between the two Spanish clubs.
The Sky Blues have won the last six games the two have played. Celta Vigo have outscored Levante 15-6 in that time. The big difference between those previous six matches and Monday night’s match is Levante’s new coach Lopez. Levante have been transformed under the Spaniard.
Levante have tallied more than 2.5 goals in each of their last six games. In addition, the club has won its past five home games. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo have dropped seven of eight away games. Due to the form of both clubs and the goals scored in previous fixtures, this match will end in a Levante win.
The fixture should see more than 2.5 goals scored as Lopez powers his team to a second straight win in La Liga. Despite Celta Vigo’s dominance, Levante can break it on Monday night at the Ciutat de Valencia.