In a match to open the Round 8 of La Liga, Real Madrid will look to come back to winning ways as they face strugglers from Valencia, Levante.
eal Madrid have drawn twice in a row, remaining undefeated in a derby match against Atletico, and seizing the losses of Villarreal and Barcelona to remain in their second place. After a short international break, in which they (again) lost Luka Modric due to his injury in Croatiaās match against Bulgaria, Rafael Benitez will look to lead his team back to winning ways in a match against Levante. Modric joins Benzema, Jamez Rodriguez and Carvajal on Real Madridās injury list.
The visitors, meanwhile, having finally grabbed their first victory of the season in a match against Villarreal and showing their supporters they can still hope for something in this season, face very hard away trip in which they will probably look to focus on defensive work, what could prove a problem for a side that conceded twelve goals in their first seven games (they maintained clean sheet only in an already mentioned match against Villarreal and against Las Palmas in the Round 2).
Ivan Lopez and Trujillo will definitely miss the encounter for the visitors, while Lucas Alcaraz will still hope his side can be boosted by David Navarro and Verza, who are doubtful.
Head to Head:
Out of 24 matches played between the two sides, Real Madrid have won 20, and are clear favourites to increase that lead. However, it should be noted that Levante managed to beat giants from capital twice, once even at the turf of Santiago Bernabeu, and that famous victory came in 2007. Last meeting went to Real Madridās favour, with a 2-0 victory (two strikes from Bale, although second one could be attributed to Ronaldo as well) seven months ago.
Match facts:
- Real Madrid have won their last seven La Liga games against Levante. They have never won eight in a row against them.
- The Valencians have been shut out against Real Madrid in three consecutive La Liga games.
- Levante have won only one of their last 10 visits to Santiago Bernabeu (L9), 0-1 in 2007 with a Salva Ballesta goal.
- Real Madrid have not conceded fewer goals after seven La Liga games since the 1997/98 season (one).
- Rafa BenĆtezās team has had the most shots on target in La Liga (54), while Levante have had the fewest (21).
- Cristiano Ronaldo has equalled his worst goalless streak with Real Madrid in La Liga, four games in a row. He has never gone five games in a row without scoring.
- With six goals in seven games, this is Benzemaās best ever beginning to a La Liga campaign.
- Deyverson is the second Brazilian player to score for Levante since their last promotion to the top-flight of Spanish football (after Rafael Martins).
Team news:
Real Madrid: Injured ā Modric, Benzema, Jamez Rodriguez, Carvajal; Doubtful ā Pepe.
Levante: Injured ā Ivan Lopez, Trujillo; Doubtful ā David Navarro, Verza.
Possible lineups:
Real Madrid: Navas; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Kovacic; Bale, Isco, Cristiano.
Levante: Ruben; Camarasa, Mate, Feddal, Juanfran, Tono; Lerma, Jose Mari, Morales; Deyverson, Roger.
Date: 17 Oct 2015
Time: 16:00 CET (15:00 BST)
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez
Last season result: 2-0 (Bale x2)
From: SS.com
