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Levante hosts Villarreal in Round 1 of the Spanish La Liga, with Villarreal favorite at odds around 2.00.
Hosts had a great last season … 10th place, and will look to repeat the performance even though they lost Keylor Navas. Levante is a very tough team at home, last season 7-6-6 record but it was much better before a series of 4 matches with 3 losses and 1 draw late in the season … when they were sure they will not relegate. Hosts are a very disciplined and organized side and hard to break down. Did not play great in friendlies but friendlies are not so important. Juanfran, Rodas and Gavilan are doubtful.
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Bet with the best odds and highest limits at Pinnacle. |
Villarreal also had a great campaign last year finishing 5th and look in absolute top form in this start of the season … easy wins in friendlies and a 3-0 destruction of Astana (on the road) midweek in Europa League playoffs; good performance in the win for Villarreal. Manager Marcelino says his team is a favorite to win today so big confidence for the visitors (maybe overconfidence?). Visitors miss Paulista, Perez and probably Iniguez, and they just lost De Guzman a couple of days ago (sold to Napoli).
Villarreal is pumping on all cillinders but friendlies have virtually no relevance and the win against Astana in Europa League is not so relevant for a La Liga bet either. Levante is very tough to beat at home and I think they can hold to at least a draw vs. Villarreal in the first round, specially that the visitors are without a couple of players. I think odds under evens on Villarreal to win are not realistic, playing away will be a handicap for them. My tip will be Levante +0,5 handicap. Prediction: Levante – Villarreal 1-1.
Pick: Levante +0,5
Odds: 1.96 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 6.72
Event date: 24 August
