Levante UDvsAthletic Bilbao

Form and Recent Performances

Levante UD has been experiencing a mixed bag of results in LaLiga 2, with their recent form showing signs of both promise and concern. Despite a strong showing against Granada with a 3-1 victory, Levante has struggled to maintain consistency, particularly at home. They have not won any of their last seven home matches, a worrying trend that could impact their confidence against Athletic Bilbao. The departure of promising young talent Andrés García to Aston Villa might also affect their squad depth and attacking options.

Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, has faced its own challenges, particularly in away matches. They have not won any of their last seven away games, which includes a recent 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals. Despite this, Bilbao's historical performance against Levante is favorable, having won 18 of their last 30 encounters. This historical edge, coupled with their resilience in domestic competitions, suggests they could capitalize on Levante's home struggles.

Tactical Analysis and Key Players

Levante's tactical setup often relies on their midfield strength, with players like Giorgi Kochorashvili and Vicente Iborra playing pivotal roles. However, their defensive line has shown vulnerabilities, conceding in each of their last six matches. Athletic Bilbao's attacking strategy, particularly their ability to score late in games (33% of their goals come between the 76th and 90th minute), could exploit these defensive lapses.

Athletic Bilbao's Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta Echevar is a key figure in their midfield, known for his aggressive playstyle, as evidenced by his six yellow cards this season. His ability to disrupt Levante's midfield could be crucial in controlling the game's tempo. Additionally, Bilbao's historical success at Levante's home ground, where they have won six times in the last 15 meetings, gives them a psychological advantage.

Prediction and Conclusion

Considering the current form, historical data, and tactical matchups, Athletic Bilbao appears to have the upper hand in this encounter. Levante's inability to secure home victories, coupled with Bilbao's historical dominance, suggests an away win is likely. Furthermore, given both teams' recent struggles to score, particularly in their last matches, it is plausible that not both teams will find the net. Therefore, the prediction leans towards an away win for Athletic Bilbao, with both teams not scoring.