The Matchday 17 La Liga clash between Levante and Real Sociedad will take place on 20 December at the Ciudad de Valencia stadium. Levante vs Real Sociedad: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Levante
Last week Levante's match against Villarreal was postponed due to adverse weather. As a result, Levante remain bottom of the table in sole possession of 20th place, but now they have a game in hand. The Valencian side had previously suffered five consecutive league defeats and are currently on a seven-game winless run. So far this La Liga season the club have taken just two wins and amassed only nine points from 15 matches. Notably, Levante have conceded 28 goals in the competition, the second-worst defensive record after Girona (30).
- At least two goals have been scored in 36 of Levante's last 37 La Liga fixtures.
- Both teams have scored in eight of Levante's last ten home league matches.
- Levante have conceded at least two goals in six consecutive home league games.
Probable Levante lineup (4-4-2)*
Matthew Ryan – Jeremy Toljan, Alan Matturro, Jorge Cabello, Manu Sánchez – Carlos Álvarez Rivera, Unai Vencedor, Roger Brugué, Kervin Arriaga – Carl Etta-Eyong, Iván Romero.
Defender Unai Elgezabal and midfielder Roger Brugué are unavailable through injury. The fitness of midfielder Víctor García and forward Godyuena Koyyalipu is in doubt.
Real Sociedad
The Basques are once again teetering on the edge of a crisis. A week ago they suffered a surprise 1-2 home defeat to Girona, their third successive loss in La Liga. The club have slid down to 15th place in the table and are only one point above the relegation zone. As a result, the club sacked head coach Sergio Francisco last Sunday. Jon Ansotegi, who currently manages Real Sociedad's B team, will take over as interim boss until the end of the year.
- Real Sociedad have conceded in ten consecutive league matches.
- Both teams have scored in seven of the Basques' last eight La Liga fixtures.
- Real Sociedad have covered a +1.5 handicap in five away league games in this competition.
Probable Real Sociedad lineup (4-3-3)*
Alejandro Remiro – Jon Aramburu, Jon Martin, Igor Zubeldia, Sergio Gómez – Carlos Soler, Jon Gorrotxategi, Brais Méndez – Takefusa Kubo, Gonçalo Guedes, Ander Barrenetxea.
Defender Jon Aramburu is suspended, while midfielder Janhel Herrera is sidelined through injury. Forwards Mikel Oyarzabal and Orri Óskarsson could return to the squad. Ander Barrenetxea's participation is also in doubt.
Match Prediction: Levante vs Real Sociedad
Both teams are a long way off their best and, notably, both clubs have recently changed head coaches. Levante have gone seven league games without a win, with the last five fixtures all ending in defeat; in their last three matches they failed to score. Eight of Levante's last nine La Liga games have produced three goals or fewer.
Real Sociedad have also struggled for results and goals: no more than three goals were scored in eight of their last 11 La Liga matches. The Basques' run of three defeats prompted the managerial change; interim coach Jon Ansotegi inherits a side lacking confidence but one that have enjoyed favourable recent head-to-heads. Real Sociedad have avoided defeat in 13 of the last 17 league meetings with Levante (six wins, seven draws).
Prediction – Real Sociedad win or draw + total under 3.5
*For each team the probable starting XI is shown from their previous match in this competition.
