Barcelona v Levante

After a loss to Girona in the last match Barcelona drop 2 points behind rivals Real Madrid in La Liga. Can they get back on track against minnows Levante?

Barcelona v Levante – Spotify Camp Nou 16:15 CET

Team News:

Gavi and Andreas Christensen are out. Great news as influential midfielder Pedri returns to the team. Striker Marcus Rashford is fit also – both may not be risked from the start but could make the bench.

Levante are without Pablo Martinez, Roger Brugue and Kervin Arriaga. Unai Elgezabal may find the bench.

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Formations:

4-2-3-1 in most matches for Barcelona. Usual high intensity all out attacking play from the Catalans.

4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 have been most Levante’s lineups.  Quick passing and width from full backs with the attacking wide men playing narrow. Will not do much apart from defend here though.

Statistics:

Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas (Average cards 3.60 Yellow 0.10 Red)

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Match Preview:

Barcelona are struggling to keep up with Real Madrid who keep notching win after win. At home Barcelona have been brilliant though with 11 wins from 11 and +29 goal difference. Recent all competition form shows back-to-back defeats for Barcelona with 6 goals conceded.

Levante are 2^nd bottom in La Liga and have a 7-point deficit to get out the drop zone. On the road they are doing better than at home. With 3 wins from 12 games. Recent form is dire though with 4 losses in the last 7 games and the last three games ending in defeat.

Betting Preview:

Not much hope for Levante in this one as they face a fired-up Barcelona who need a win after two poor defeats. Just trying to find an angle as odds are very low. Barcelona Half-time full time is an option. Handicaps of -2 and higher can be considered.