La Liga: Goal Drought Needs to End by High Noon Kick-Off

La Liga: Goal Drought Needs to End by High Noon Kick-Off

Real Madrid vs Levante

After four matches without a win and four games without even scoring a goal, Real Madrid are in need of a La Liga boost.

It’s nearly a month since they last found the net through Marco Asensio against Espanyol on September 22.

Since then, their drought has stretched to 496 minutes and broken an unwanted club record that has stood since 1984/85.

Failure to score against, let alone defeat to, minnows Levante would cause one of the La Liga 2018 news stories so far.

But SBOBET fans should be wary of betting against the European champions – form is temporary, class is permanent.

Talking Points

There’s no doubt that run, which includes three league games without a win, has put the pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui.

The bruising 3-0 defeat to Sevilla may have been brushed off if it hadn’t been followed up with a goalless Madrid derby, a Champions League reverse at CKSA Moscow and, most recently, a last-gasp defeat at Alaves immediately before the international break.

That means that the next run of matches takes on more importance for Madrid who, despite their wobble, are only two points off the summit after the far-from-convincing form of domestic rivals.

Levante, Viktoria Plzen and Barcelona now await – three blue and red teams in a week which could define Real Madrid and Lopetegui’s season.

The coach may have spent most of the week without his international stars, but Marcelo and Gareth Bale (groin) may well be available for selection again. With Karim Benzema (hamstring) also close to a return, it could mean a timely return for the BBA (Bale, Benzema and Asensio).

Dani Carvajal may well still be missing, while influential attacking midfielder Isco is unlikely to be risked as he continues to recover from appendicitis.

Levante have been an undoubted success story since being promoted to the top flight just over a year ago.

For such a small club, Paco Lopez’s side can naturally be inconsistent as shown by two results already this year – a draw with Valencia and a 6-2 home defeat to Sevilla.

The Valencia-based side has bounced back in impressive fashion, however, by overcoming Alaves and Getafe in their last two fixtures to move up into 11th position in the table.

Roger Marti’s four goals in six games and Jose Luis Morales, who has three goals to date, will be the danger men for the visitors as Levante chase a first victory in Madrid since 2007.

Forward Armando Sadiku and full-back Coke remain their long-term absentees, while Borja Mayoral cannot face his parent club as part of his loan deal.

It’s unusual for Real to play in the early kick-off in La Liga, but they will need to be alert from the start to rediscover some form, end their goal drought and secure an all-important and much-needed victory.

History

Both these games were draws last season, surprisingly, but results which perfectly highlighted Real’s frustrations as they failed to mount a serious title challenge.

The sides drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu when Lucas Vazquez cancelled out Ivi’s early opener, but the hosts could not win and their frustrations were evident as they finished the match with 10 men.

That was in September last year.

The return in February saw a spirited Levante fight back twice to earn a 2-2 draw.

Sergio Ramos’ early header was pegged back by Emmanuel Boateng just before the break.

Then when second-half substitute Isco seemed to have grabbed a winner shortly after entering the fray, Giampaolo Pazzini struck another shocker with an 89^th-minute leveller.

Betting Tip

Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.51

Despite Real’s poor run of form, the La Liga 2018 betting odds are emphatic in their backing for the hosts.

Real Madrid are priced 1X2 @ 1.16 with Levante @ a very distant 16.50.

Even the draw will pay out @ 6.80.

It says much that Asian Handicap -2.50 Real Madrid will pay @ 2.17 compared to Levante +2.25 @ 2.01.

If you hope for a small cash success, there’s a definite appeal in expecting the hosts to be in charge from the outset. Plump for First Half Asian Handicap odds on Real Madrid -1.00 @ 1.95.

A repeat of last season’s 1-1 draw correct score offers odds of @ 17.50.

It’s not meant to be a low-scoring affair judging on total goal 0-1 @ 8.00.

Levante are no mugs, but I do expect them to lose this one.

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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