Sabasports Match Preview
La Liga: Valencia vs Levante
Kickoff Time: 2025-11-22 04:00 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/JUAN BARBOSA
Valencia has started the season with two wins, four draws, and six losses, currently tied on points with Girona in the relegation zone, facing pressure to avoid relegation. In the last league match, the team managed a draw against Real Betis, who are competing in European competitions, ending a two-game losing streak in the league. During the match, Valencia fully utilized their home advantage, recording 17 shots compared to the opponent’s nine. If not for the outstanding performance of the opposing goalkeeper Alvaro Valles, who made three crucial saves, Valencia might have secured a victory. This season, Valencia’s forward line has performed consistently. Center forward Hugo Duro has scored three goals, left winger Arnaut Danjuma has contributed three goals and one assist, and right winger Luis Rioja has added one goal and three assists. In matches, the team relies on wing-backs pushing forward to create width, while two attacking midfielders make runs to break through the defense, creating scoring opportunities for the forwards.
Levante, the champions of last season’s Segunda Division, have struggled to adapt to the pace of La Liga. After 12 rounds, they have only one points and are also under relegation pressure. In their last league match, Levante faced Atletico Madrid away and was completely dominated, with no control over the game. They conceded a staggering 25 shot attempts. If not for Atletico Madrid’s forwards poor finishing, Levante could have suffered a heavy defeat. This season, the team’s two center forwards, Karl Etta Eyong and Ivan Romero, have become key players. Eyong has recorded five goals and one assist, while Romero has scored four goals. Statistically, Levante averages only 39% possession per game, the lowest in the league, and their pass completion rate is just 77%, the second lowest in the league. This indicates that Levante often employs a defensive counter-attacking strategy, relying on the speed of their two center forwards to break through the opposition’s defense and create scoring chances. However, this tactic has a critical flaw: if the two forwards are tightly marked, Levante’s counter-attacks lose their threat.
This match is a Valencia Community Derby, marking the first encounter between the two teams in three and a half years. Historically, Valencia has dominated with 21 wins, nine draws, and eight losses in all competitions. Notably, all eight of Levante’s derby wins have come at home, highlighting their poor performance in away derbies. Currently, Valencia holds a clear advantage in terms of tactical approach, relegation battle experience, and even player value. In this matchup, Valencia is unlikely to miss the chance to overpower their “little brother.”
Valencia‘s Last 5 Games: DLWLD
25-11-10 Valencia 1-1 Real Betis
25-11-02 Real Madrid 4-0 Valencia
25-10-29 UD Maracena 0-5 Valencia
25-10-26 Valencia 0-2 Villarreal
25-10-21 Deportivo Alaves 0-0 Valencia
Levante‘s Last 5 Games: LLWDL
25-11-09 Atletico Madrid 3-1 Levante
25-11-02 Levante 1-2 Celta Vigo
25-10-31 Orihuela 3-4 Levante
25-10-26 Mallorca 1-1 Levante
25-10-20 Levante 0-3 Rayo Vallecano
Head-To-Head Record
22-05-01 Valencia 1-1 Levante
21-12-21 Levante 3-4 Valencia
21-03-13 Levante 1-0 Valencia
20-09-14 Valencia 4-2 Levante
20-06-13 Valencia 1-1 Levante
Prediction: Valencia to win