Levante return to the Spanish top flight, after three years in the Segunda Division, this weekend. They begin with an away game against a likely rival in the fight for survival.
The opposition comes from Alaves who secured safety under Chacho Coudet last season, although they did only finish two points above the relegation zone. They’ve since lost Kike Garcia, who scored 34% of his team’s goals during the 2024/25 campaign, while defenders Santiago Mourino and Abdel Abqar have also departed.
So far at least, they don’t really look to have found proper replacements for those players. Having failed to score in four of their five pre-season games, they don’t head into their opening game in a particularly confident mood.
Levante also failed to score in two of their final three friendlies, although they did beat French side Auxerre last time out. The expectation is that they’ll be relatively defensive this season and look to play on the break under the guidance of Julian Calero.
The 54-year-old was a policeman two decades ago, but now gets his chance to manage in La Liga after working his way up through the leagues. He could do with a bit more support from the board, with €500k the most they have spent on a new signing this summer.
How the bookies view it: Alaves favoured to start with a win
Boylesports make the home team the 23/20 favourites to win this game. Levante are priced at 5/2 to mark their return to La Liga with a road success, although the value may lie with the draw at 2/1.
Recent head-to-head: Low-scoring contests the norm
Both teams have scored in none of the last four meetings between these clubs, with all of those games ending with two or fewer goals.
The most significant of those came in the 2022/23 Segunda Division play-off final in a tie that was goalless for more than 200 minutes, before Alaves snatched promotion in the most dramatic of fashion thanks to Asier Villalibre’s extra-time goal.
Players to watch: Mariano out of the wilderness
Mariano Diaz was a free agent for the entire 2024/25 season, but the ex-Real Madrid striker has now signed for Alaves where he’ll be looking to resurrect a once promising career. Incredibly, Mariano has only scored six league goals since netting 18 for Lyon in the 2017/18 campaign in Ligue 1, but he’s in strong contention for a start here, following Kike’s departure.
Predicted Lineups
Hugo Novoa is the only fitness doubt for Alaves on the opening weekend, with Coudet expected to go with a 4-2-3-1 approach.
Levante still need to register a number of signings, while they have injury doubts over Carlos Alvarez, Alan Matturro, Matias Moreno and Goduine Koyalipou. Kervin Arriaga and Jon Ander Olasagasti will definitely miss out.
Alaves: Sivera, Jonny, Diarra, Garces, Tenaglia, Blanco, Ibanez, Alena, Guridi, Vicente, Mariano.
Levante: Campos, Cabello, De la Fuente, Elgezabal, M. Sanchez, Rey, P. Martinez, Toljan, Brugui, Romero, Morales.
Anything else catch the eye?
Neither side appears to have a strike-force that is going to score many goals in this league. With Levante likely to set up with three centre-backs, and with a point a good result for them here, this game does not look like it is going to be one for the ages.
Given that, backing under 1.5 goals at 11/8 with Boylesports appeals, while a 0-0 draw is priced at 5/1 in the correct score market.
GambleAware