Preview: Levante vs. Granada - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams struggling at the wrong end of the La Liga table will lock horns on Monday evening, as Levante welcome Granada to Estadio Ciudad de Valencia.

Levante are currently 19th in the table, having picked up just six points from their opening 11 matches, while Granada are 17th with eight points to show from their first 10 games of the 2021-22 campaign.

Match preview

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Levante are one of only two teams in La Liga - the other being basement side Getafe - yet to record a league victory this season, having drawn six and lost five of their opening 11 matches to sit 19th in the table.

The Frogs have finished 15th, 15th, 12th and 14th since returning to the top level in 2017, and the early indications are that it could be a tough season for the club, as they battle to remain in La Liga.

Levante suffered a 5-3 defeat at Sevilla last weekend but managed to bounce back during the week, holding the champions Atletico Madrid to a 2-2 draw in Valencia, with Enis Bardhi scoring twice from the penalty spot, including a leveller in second-half stoppage time to secure a point.

Now under the management of Javier Pereira following Paco Lopez's departure, the Valencia-based outfit will view their next two games against Granada and Alaves as the perfect chance to pick up a win.

Each of the last three La Liga meetings between Levante and Granada have finished level, though, including a 2-2 draw in the corresponding clash during the 2020-21 campaign.

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Granada, meanwhile, have struggled in the early stages of the season, picking up just eight points from 10 matches, which has left them in 17th position in the table.

Robert Moreno's side appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks, though, as a strong October has seen them collect five points from their three matches against Sevilla, Osasuna and Getafe.

Granada were actually on the verge of losing at home to Getafe on Thursday night, with Enes Unal's first-half goal looking to be the difference between the two sides, only for Jorge Molina to level in the 97th minute.

The Andalusian outfit have finished seventh and ninth in La Liga since returning to this level of football, but it is difficult to imagine them claiming a top-half spot considering their struggles early in the season.

There is still a lot of football to be played before the end of the campaign, though, and a positive result on Monday night could act as a springboard for the remainder of the season.

Team News

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Levante will be without the services of Jose Campana, Gonzalo Melero and Shkodran Mustafi for this match through injury, while Rober Pier will be unavailable for selection due to a suspension, having picked up a red card in the draw with Atletico.

Roger Marti and Sergio Postigo will face late fitness tests, meanwhile, but Pereira's side did not pick up any fresh injury concerns in the clash with the reigning champions.

There is likely to be a change to a 4-3-3 formation for this match, with Jorge Miramon and Jorge de Frutos both pushing for spots in the first XI, but Dani Gomez should keep out Roberto Soldado at centre-forward.

As for Granada, a lengthy injury list includes Yan Eteki, Neyder Lozano, Maxime Gonalons, Domingos Duarte and Isma Ruiz.

Head coach Moreno is expected to shuffle his pack from the draw against Getafe, with Carlos Neva and Molina both potentially coming into the starting side.

Luis Suarez missed a penalty in his team's 1-1 draw last time out but should keep his spot in the final third, with Angel Montoro potentially dropping out to allow Molina to come into the XI.

Levante possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Miramon, Vezo, Duarte, Clerc; Bardhi, Martinez, Malsa; De Frutos, D Gomez, Morales

Granada possible starting lineup:
Maximiano; Quini, Diaz, Abram, Neva; Rochina, Monchu, Milla, Machis; Suarez, Molina

We say: Levante 1-1 Granada

As mentioned, the last three La Liga meetings between these two sides have finished level, and we are struggling to see anything other than a low-scoring draw here. Both teams have shared the points in two of their last three in the league, and all of the signs point to a stalemate on Monday night.

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