Athletic Club and Levante meet at San Mamés Barria, in a game for the 30th round of the First Division. In the last direct confrontation for this edition of the league, on 03-12-2018, Levante won at home against (3-0). The history of direct confrontations played in this stadium is favorable to the home team, which in the last 3 matches won 2 and lost 1. But the last time these two teams played a match in this stadium, on 04-23-2018 , for the First Division, Levante won by (1-3). Raúl García (8 ‘) scored the goals of the game, for Athletic Club, and E. Bardhi (42′ and 44 ‘) and José Luis Morales (90′), for Levante. the Levant presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor, so in this game the home factor may be decisive.
Athletic Club:
The home team is currently in the 8 th position of the league, with 40 points won, after 9 wins, 13 draws and 7 losses. In the penultimate match, they won in a home match against Atlético Madrid, by (2-0). In the last match, they won in an away match against Girona, by (1-2). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses in away matches; against 6 victories, 6 draws and 3 defeats in their stadium.
For this competition, they have not lost any of the last 10 home matches. In their home league matches the most frequent result at half-time was the 0-0 (7 out of 15 matches). Their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In their home matches there is a tendency for few goals, since 11 of the last 15 matches for this competition have ended with Under 2,5 goals. In 29 matches in the competition, they suffered the first goal 10 times and only managed 1 comeback. In the last 15 home matches for this competition there is 1 period that stands out: they have conceded 5 of their 13 goals between minutes (76’-90 ‘).
The Athletic Bilbao arrives at this motivated party, after having added another triumph in the championship, this time against Girona, by 1-2: the goals of the three points were marked by Williams and Raúl García. It is important to note that the locals lost only 2 of the 15 games played in their stadium. On this day, against Levante, a team that continues at the bottom of the qualifying table, coach Luciano Spalletti must act in the usual tactical system, that is, 4-3-3, benefiting possession of the ball and organized attacks: Raúl García is a key player in this team. The Spanish Williams is the best score of Athletic Bilbao, with 9 goals scored. Retrieving of injury continues forward Aduriz.
Levante:
After 8 wins, 8 draws and 13 losses, the away team is currently in the 15 th position of the league, with 32 points won. In the last match, they have tied Eibar at home (2-2), after in the previous match they have tied tied in an away match against Real Sociedad, by (1-1). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 3 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses in away matches, with 18 goals scored and 27 conceded; against 7 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses at their stadium, with 22 goals scored and 24 suffered. For the league, Levante won 7 points out of 30 possible points, after 1 win, 4 draws and 5 losses in the last 10 home matches. In their home league matches the most frequent result at half-time was the 0-0 (6 out of 15 matches). The team allowed goals to the opponent in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition, so it was not very strong defensively. In 29 matches in this tournament, they have conceded the first goal 16 times and have only won 1 result.
The moment of the visiting team is not the most positive, although do not lose two games in a row. It is important to underline that in the last day Levante added a draw against Eibar, 2-2: Ruben Rochina and Jose Luis Morales scored the team’s goals. For playing away from home, coach Paco López must organize his team with a more defensive mentality, exploring the best way the existing space in the back of the rival through counterattacks: Moses Simon is the main responsible for this type of transition . On an individual level we highlight Roger Martí, with 10 goals scored. For this game the coach can count on the usual starters.
