🔈 How will the clash between the two newcomers of this season's La Liga unfold? In the third round, Elche and Levante will face off at the Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium. Interestingly, the "Green-striped" have yet to suffer a defeat this season, a claim the "Frogs" can't make. For both teams, this upcoming match presents a great opportunity to solidify their standings by defeating an opponent of similar caliber. Let's take a look at the bookmakers' early predictions: an Elche win stands at 2.15, while a Levante victory is at 3.55.

Head-to-Head

📊 In their last 10 head-to-head encounters, Elche have only managed a single victory, which came during the 2020/21 La Liga campaign (1-0). Last season, when both teams were competing in the Segunda División, Levante consistently added points after facing the "Green Stripes": a 1-1 draw at the "Ciutat de València" and a 3-1 win at the "Manuel Martínez Valero". 

Elche CF Team Overview

🟢 The "Green-Striped" have emerged as a true sensation at the start of the new Spanish season. First, Elche managed to claim a point in a home clash with the resilient Real Betis (1-1). Last weekend, the newly promoted side from La Liga also held Atletico Madrid to a draw (1-1), as the capital club struggled to unlock the defense of the team from the namesake city. Effective positional defending and a focus on vertical attacking transitions have been key for Elche's success in the early rounds of the championship.

⚪ Let's delve a bit deeper into the tactical aspects of their encounter with Atletico Madrid (1-1). It's important to note that their usual 4-4-2 formation, which Elche typically employs, was utilized during ball possession and transitions from defense to attack. During defensive phases, the "Green-Striped" adopted a more pragmatic approach, with a compact line-up and deploying German Valera as an additional fifth defender. The strategy of employing straightforward vertical play perfectly highlights the strengths of Rafa Mir and Alvaro Rodriguez, who excel in open space and are formidable in aerial duels.

Levante UD Team Overview

🔵 Despite the fact that the "Frogs" have lost their first two matches, they've managed to offer hope to their fans and surprise neutral spectators with their performance. In the opening round of La Liga, the Valencia side couldn't hold onto a draw at the "Mendizorrotza," conceding a goal in the 92nd minute. Meanwhile, in their clash with Barcelona (2-3), Julian Calero's squad even led by two goals, but lapses in concentration and a gap in class played their part.

🔴 The early rounds have made it clear that Julian Calero is instilling a counter-attacking style in Levante, focusing on vertical play. This tactical approach seems capable of securing their La Liga status for next season. The key is that Levante's players are not burdened with executing complex tactical maneuvers, thereby reducing the chance of unforced errors and poor passing. Success could be just around the corner if they address their mistakes and bolster the players' psychological resilience.

Latest news

Elche CF

📰 An official announcement is imminent regarding Iñaki Peña joining Elche as their new player. The Barcelona academy graduate finds limited opportunities to become the first-choice goalkeeper at the Catalan club, and the 26-year-old Spaniard is unwilling to remain a backup. It's important to note that this is a loan deal set for just one season. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the Blaugrana recently extended Peña's contract for three years, suggesting that the door to Barça's squad isn't entirely closed for the goalkeeper.

🎤 After their second-round match, Eder Sarabia spoke with journalists: “We are still adapting to the conditions of the elite division of Spanish football. Nevertheless, I believe we did an excellent job in containing Atlético Madrid and achieving a result that was positive for us. Special thanks go to our fans, who kept the players motivated and energized throughout all 90 minutes in every single game moment.”

❌ In the Green-and-White's injury list are Adam Boyar (leg injury) and Iago Santiago, who have been recovering from a serious knee injury since January of this year.

Levante UD

📰 This week, Levante's goalkeeper Pablo Campos extended his contract with the club. At the start of this season, the Spanish keeper has been the first choice for his position and seems to be a key figure in the club's long-term plans. It's worth noting that the 23-year-old is a product of Barcelona's youth academy, and Levante have held his rights since 2020. Here's what Campos had to say after this significant event: "This is the club that has given me everything, and there's nothing that makes me happier than the chance to stay here, at home. My debut in La Liga was something special because of the incredible atmosphere and having all my family and friends there. The result may have tarnished the memory a bit, but I'll never forget that match."

🏷 Interestingly, despite their trust in Pablo Campos, Levante have signed Mathew Ryan as a free agent. The Australian goalkeeper's contract with the club is set for two seasons. Before joining the Spanish side, the 33-year-old keeper played for French club Lens, where he made 14 appearances in Ligue 1.

❌ In Levante's injury list are Godwin Koyalipou (ankle injury), Alan Matturro (hip injury), and Alfonso Pastor (finger injury). Kerwin Arriaga's participation in the upcoming match remains uncertain. 

🟨 Yellow Card Prediction

🟨 Yellow Card Prediction

In Levante's last six matches, there have been no more than four yellow cards. A similar pattern is observed in Elche's previous seven games. Let's also consider the average number of yellow cards for each team at the start of the season: the "Green Stripes" average around 2, while the "Frogs" average approximately 2.5. Our well-founded prediction is a total of under 4.5 yellow cards.

⚽ Goal Prediction

Focusing on the average goal tally in the head-to-head encounters between these teams, it stands at about 2.1 goals per game. Notably, in 7 of Levante's last 9 matches, there were no more than 2 goals scored in each game. A similar trend is evident in 5 of Elche's previous 6 matches. Given that both clubs view this matchup as a prime opportunity to secure 3 points, we anticipate a low-scoring affair. Our choice is under 2.5 goals.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Levante have earned just one corner in their last two matches in the new Primera season. Meanwhile, they have allowed an average of around 10.5 corners per game at their end. Considering the corner kick ratio in head-to-head matchups, it's 5.3 to 3.8 in favor of the "Green and Whites." A reasonable bet for this match would be Elche to win the corner count.

Predicting the outcome is quite challenging, given that the teams are fairly evenly matched in terms of quality. Moreover, neither the "Green Stripes" nor the "Frogs" are likely to rush things, opening up and leaving gaps behind them. Our editorial team anticipates a gritty match with plenty of physical duels and aerial battles. A final score of 0-0 is a reasonable possibility. Our key choice is under 2.5 goals total.