Levante vs Leganes Predictions

• Following last week’s 2-1 home win against Real Sociedad, Leganes have now lost just one of their last seven La Liga games (W3, D3 and L1).
• However, Los Pepineros remain winless on the road this season after five draws and five defeats from ten away fixtures.
• Levante head into this Matchday 23 contest on the back of four straight league defeats, after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat against Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Four defeats on the spin for Levante

Levante only lost by a 2-1 scoreline against Barcelona at Camp Nou last weekend, but it was a result that arguably flattered Paco Lopez’ side.  The champions took their foot off the gas somewhat following Ansu Fati’s 90 second double salvo in the first half, and Granotas eventually managed to reduce their arrears in stoppage time after crafting a handful of opportunities.

Nevertheless, it was certainly an improved showing from Levante after defeats to nil against Osasuna (2-0) and Alaves (0-1), and their four match losing run reads less worryingly when you consider that it’s been book-ended by narrow away reversals against Barca and Atletico Madrid (2-1).

But with difficult matches upcoming against in-form Villarreal and league leaders Real Madrid, Levante seriously need to get their act together this Saturday when they entertain 18^th placed Leganes.

Granotas still look relatively safe in 13^th where they sit eight points clear of the bottom three, but that picture could soon change over the next few weeks. Anything from those games against Villarreal and Real Madrid would be considered a bonus, so the host’s will feel like they have to bag three points from this Matchday 23 encounter to stop the rot.

Aguirre revolution continues

On the face of it, Levante should fancy their chances this weekend against relegation threatened Lega, who haven’t won on the road this season in ten outings (D5, L5).

However, recent form undoubtedly suggests that the visitors will be hard to beat here, after losing just one of their last seven top flight matches. Last weekend’s superb 2-1 success over Real Sociedad at Butarque backed up a fine 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano the week prior, and Los Pepineros have now hauled themselves level with 17^th placed Mallorca.

Lega’s turnaround over the last couple of months cannot be underestimated, and boss Javier Aguirre is getting a serious tune out of his squad, who look more than capable of easing themselves to safety in the coming weeks.

And despite still seeking their first away win of the campaign, it’s important to note that Lega have lost just one of their last five outings on the road – a narrow 1-0 defeat to fourth placed Sevilla in early December.

Leganes difficult to oppose on Matchday 23

These sides have been moving in completely different directions over the past few weeks, so it’s impossible to oppose a resurgent Leganes this weekend. The contrast in form of the two sides hasn’t gone unnoticed by the bookmakers though, who have the visitors priced up at just under 2/1 for the three points.

With Aguirre’s side still seeking their first away victory of the campaign, those odds look short enough, even though we feel they are the most likely team to triumph this Saturday lunchtime. It wouldn’t be the biggest shock were this to end all square considering Leganes have drawn four of their last five away, so the right play is to side with Los Pepineros in the ‘Draw No Bet’ market.

This wager offers the security of money back if things do end level, and the 5/6 on offer is more than reasonable based on current form and Lega’s lack of defeats since early December. If Los Pepineros are to break their duck outside of Butarque, it could well be here though, so we’re also going for a 1-2 correct score in the visitors’ favour.