Levante vs. Real Madrid: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Everyone is laughing. Except them.
On Tuesday at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, Real Madrid weren't even present but were still the focus of the ridicule. "Florentino, please stay," sung the Atletico Madrid fans in the stands with glee as their side took on Real Sociedad just three days after the Bernabeu had chanted "Florentino, resign" following Real's latest derby defeat on Saturday.
Similar chants have been heard at the Camp Nou this season, where Barcelona fans have taken delight in their eternal rivals' despair. Barcelona-based publication Sport even went as far as saying: "Thanks, Florentino! Everything started with you."
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This is Real Madrid's plight.
On Wednesday, Los Blancos—engulfed in institutional turmoil, finger-pointing, shaming, intense speculation and battles on every front—travel to Valencia to take on Levante in the first of 12 league games that are now essentially inconsequential. Well, sort of.
Twelve points behind Barcelona and seven behind Atletico after their 3-0 victory over Real Sociedad, Real Madrid are no longer in the title race. They know it. Everyone knows it. Saturday's defeat to Atletico was the final nail; the Champions League is all Real have left to play for—but perhaps in more ways than one.
Believe it or not, Real Madrid's biggest priority in La Liga might be fending off those below them rather than catching those ahead. In fourth place, Villarreal trail Madrid by just two points and are unbeaten in 13 games. They also lead the head-to-head with Madrid after a 1-0 victory over Real in December.
"Finishing third would be a huge achievement," said Villarreal manager Marcelino, via Football Espana.
"Warning," said AS English, "Villarreal threatens La Liga third place and U.S. tour."
Just imagine the reaction if Real Madrid had to go through a Champions League play-off just to get into next season's group stage.
They better be wary, then.
"We're currently third," manager Zinedine Zidane told reporters on Tuesday when asked about motivations for the remainder of the season, "we want to be second, and if we're second, we'll try to go further and get closer to first."
First is a pipe dream. Second could be, too. Third is probably their place, and fourth is now the enemy to fight—a 12-game fight that begins with Wednesday's trip to Levante.
Match Details
Date: Wednesday, March 2
Time: 8 p.m. GMT / 3 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. local
Venue: Estadi Ciutat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)
Form Lines
| L: 0-3 vs. Villarreal | L: 0-1 vs. Atletico Madrid |
| W: 3-0 vs. Getafe | D: 1-1 vs. Malaga |
| L: 0-2 vs. Eibar | W: 2-0 vs. Roma |
| L: 0-2 vs. Barcelona | W: 4-2 vs. Athletic Bilbao |
| L: 1-3 vs. Sevilla | W: 2-1 vs. Granada |
| W: 3-2 vs. Las Palmas | W: 6-0 vs. Espanyol |
Team News
For Levante, centre-back David Navarro will sit this one out, having been sent off last time out against Villarreal after picking up two yellow cards. As a result, Zouhair Feddal will come back into the side to partner either Carl Medjani or Angel Trujillo at the heart of the defence. Midfielder Jefferson Lerma could also continue as a makeshift right-back.
Elsewhere, though, Levante are expected to be unchanged given how consistent manager Rubi has been with his team selection in recent weeks. Consequently, Deyverson and Giuseppe Rossi will continue up front, while a four-man midfield of Morales, Simao Mate, Verza and Joan Verdu is likely to be used once more.
For Real Madrid, Zidane is down to slim pickings across every line.
In defence, both Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal are unavailable through suspension, while Marcelo remains injured. As a result, the returning Pepe will join Raphael Varane in the centre-back pairing and will be flanked by Danilo and Nacho.
In midfield, Luka Modric will be missing after picking up a knock to his foot against Atletico, meaning Mateo Kovacic could replace his fellow countryman. In attack, meanwhile, Karim Benzema will also be missing through injury after being subbed at half-time in the Madrid derby, which could give another opportunity to promising young striker Borja Mayoral. Gareth Bale remains out.
Predicted Lineups
In the Spotlight
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Levante: 11-2
Draw: 31-10
Real Madrid: 1-2
