Levante's Last-Gasp Survival Bid Faces Yellow Submarine Test in Valencia Derby
Struggling Levante host Champions League-chasing Villarreal in a crucial derby at Ciutat de Valencia, with both sides desperate for points for very different reasons.
A derby day with massive implications at both ends of the table as relegation-threatened Levante cling to their survival hopes against a wobbling Villarreal side looking to cement their Champions League credentials.
Levante: Backs Against the Wall
The hosts are in proper trouble, no two ways about it. Coming off a morale-crushing defeat to local rivals Valencia, Luís Castro’s men are running out of road in their battle against the drop. This rescheduled Matchday 16 fixture represents one of their final chances to spark a great escape.
Team news isn’t doing them any favours either:
- Pablo Martínez sidelined until April with a Grade II knee injury
- Rober Brugué remains unavailable through injury
- Kervin Arriaga suspended after seeing red (two yellows) against Valencia
Villarreal: Champions League Jitters
A month ago, the Yellow Submarine looked nailed on for Champions League football. Now? Not so much. Their cushion over Betis has shrunk dramatically from twelve points to just four following their defeat at Getafe. This game in hand has suddenly become crucial to steady the ship.
Marcelino’s selection headaches include:
- No Gerard Moreno or Dani Parejo available
- Positive news with Cardona and Moleiro returning after illness kept them out last weekend
Key Battle: Mikautadze vs Etta Eyong
A tale of two strikers on very different trajectories. The Georgian Mikautadze is in fine fettle, finding the net with regularity when his team desperately needs it. Meanwhile, the Cameroonian Etta Eyong faces his former club during what’s been a barren spell in front of goal.
Both will shoulder their side’s attacking burden in what promises to be a proper dogfight at the Ciutat de Valencia. For Levante, it’s approaching last chance saloon territory, while Villarreal can’t afford another slip in their quest for Champions League football.