Match Preview

Real Madrid are once again back on the road seeking their third straight victory as they travel to Castellón to take on Levante. It’s a bit different this season currently as Levante are currently playing their home matches at Villarreal’s Estadio Cerámica while their own stadium is under refurbishment.

It’s been a bit of a struggle so far for Levante, who have only three points in three matches played and are currently 17th in the standings. Of course it’s still rather early in the season to start to really worry about placing in the league table.

Real are a bit decimated by injuries at the moment. The club can just not keep a healthy unit fielded and for this match they won’t even have any true right backs available. Castilla defender Victor Chust has earned his first promotion with the first team squad.

They are looking for a win to stretch their league unbeaten streak to 15 games, which is quite an impressive run for Los Blancos. It’s just going to be a bit more difficult with all the injuries piling up and heading on the road.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid will be without both Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Odriozola. They will also still be missing Eder Militão, Eden Hazard, Mariano and Toni Kroos.

Levante will be without midfielder Cheick Doukouré and will likely be missing forward Roger Martí.

There are no suspensions for either club in this weekend’s match.

Potential XIs

Levante

Fernández; Miramón, Duarte, Vezo, Clerc; Campaña, Radoja, Vukçević, Bardhi; Morales, Melero

Real Madrid

Courtois; Vazquez, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Valverde; Asensio, Vinicius, Benzema

With the right back side of the defense completely decimated it’s likely a job to be won between either Lucas Vazquez or Nacho. Both can play the position and it’s really up to Zidane to make the call between the two.

Ferland Mendy could return as a starter after sitting for Marcelo against Valladolid. Fede Valverde is likely to start back in Toni Kroos’ absence for the second straight match.

Marco Asensio may get a start on the right side now that he has been back, though Martin Ødegaard is also due for a start. Vinicius will likely slot back into the left wing after both Luka Jovic and Karim Benzema started up top last match.

Prediction

Levante—Real Madrid 1-2

Real Madrid will face a bit of pressure this match given all the injuries that have accumulated for this road trip. They still have some depth, but no doubt that the lineup has some holes torn through it this weekend.

Levante played midweek so Real are a bit fresher rest-wise. Though you could also see this as Levante being a bit more match fit and prepared for action given the short span between matches.

Real are looking to extend that unbeaten streak as well as getting the necessary three points. A win on the road with the injuries in mind would be a pretty big statement win for the club this early in the season.

It won’t be easy given the circumstances and Levante will be looking to capitalize on the situation at “home”. But, Real should still have enough quality depth to see this one out and keep the unbeaten streak at least going strong.