Match Preview

Real Madrid will make the trip to the Ciutat de València on Sunday to take on Levante. These two clubs met back in October, where Real lost 2-1 at the Bernabéu under Julen Lopetegui. Real conceded two goals in the first 15 minutes of the match and despite dominating, were only able to get one late goal from Marcelo.

Real are still third in LaLiga, after losing 2-1 to Girona last weekend, but still just two points behind Atlético before Atletico also play on Sunday against Villarreal. Levante are currently tied for the 12 spot in the league table.

Real Madrid will have no Sergio Ramos this match, as he took a ban in that same match Sunday.

It will be crucial how Real bounce back from the Girona loss, they have been pretty poor on the road overall this season. Their hopes of catching Barcelona are waning, but Solari and the team are refusing to concede their title chances still.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real will still have no Marcos Llorente due to injury on Sunday, though he is supposed to return next week some time if he returns to training. Isco was back in training ahead of this bout, so we may seem him start on the bench. Modric also comes back after serving suspension last weekend.

Levante will be without defender Sergio Postigo still due to his own dealings with injury recently. Defender Erick Cabaco returns after serving suspension last weekend. Borja Mayoral is not eligible to play against his loaner club.

As mentioned before, Ramos will miss this match due to suspension. Levante have their own suspension on their hand with left back Toño, who was arrested a few weeks ago on allegations of extortion and is suspended indefinitely.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Vinicius, Benzema

With Ramos serving his red card, Nacho will slot in for him most likely. Carvajal should also be set to return after resting for Odriozola against Girona.

As aforementioned, Modric is back from suspension and will likely be including in the starting lineup.

Bale and Vinicius were both rested against Girona as well, Vinicius will likely be back in for sure. Bale may be given the start since Vazquez started last weekend, though it’s really either choice.

Real will have some good options off the bench with a likely returning Isco, Vazquez/Bale, and Ceballos and Marco Asensio should he be sat as well.

Levante

Fernandez; Coke, Cabaco, Vezo, Luna; Jason, Campaña, Rochina, Simon; Roger, Morales

Prediction

Levante-Real Madrid 1-3

With returns of several starting squad players, Real Madrid will hopefully be able to get back to form against Levante. Real looked completely out of sync last weekend, especially with the complete collapse they had in the second half.

Real playing on the road makes things a bit more difficult to get back on track, but if they want to belong amongst Atlético and Barcelona they need to show they can bounce back from disappointing losses.

Losing Ramos for this match certainly doesn’t help either, but Nacho is always a good replacement when the starting defenders aren’t available. The return of Modric and Vinicius to the lineup will also hopefully light a spark that just wasn’t there last weekend.

Needless to say, Real have work to be done awaiting them on Sunday that they need to get done. They can ill afford another loss and they need to show that they can make another impressive run under Solari once again.