Real Valladolid will be looking to make it three La Liga victories in a row when they welcome Levante to Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on Friday night.
The home side had been struggling at the bottom of the table before picking up back-to-back victories either side of the international break to move out of the relegation zone, but Levante will enter this match inside the bottom three, having struggled for wins during the 2020-21 campaign.
Match preview
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Valladolid finished an impressive 13th in Spain's top flight last term, which proved to be their highest position since the 2001-02 campaign. A poor start to this season left them rock bottom of the table after eight matches, but there has been a huge improvement in recent weeks.
Indeed, the White and Violets entered the November international break off the back of a 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao, before picking up an impressive 3-1 win away to Granada last time out.
Oscar Plano, Maranhao and Jota were on the scoresheet at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes, and the three points crucially saw them move out of the relegation zone.
Valladolid are now 17th in the division, two points clear of 18th-placed Levante, who have a game in hand. There is certainly a chance that they could be back in the relegation zone heading into next weekend's clash with Atletico Madrid, who are regarded by some to be the favourites for the title this season.
Sergio Gonzalez's side will enter Friday's clash in a confident mood following back-to-back victories, but they have only won one of their last seven La Liga matches with Levante.
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Levante, as mentioned, are currently 18th in the table, having collected just seven points from their opening nine matches during a tough start to the campaign.
Paco Lopez's side have only picked up one victory in the league this season, but they will strangely bring a four-game unbeaten run into Friday's contest, having drawn 1-1 in each of their last four matches.
Indeed, the Frogs have shared the points with Celta Vigo, Granada, Alaves and Elche since losing 2-0 away to Athletic Bilbao on October 18, but the unbeaten run has not prevented them from being inside the bottom three.
Levante finished 12th in La Liga last season, some 13 points clear of the relegation zone, but they have struggled to get going in the early stages of 2020-21 and will be determined to move out of the bottom three as soon as possible, especially with tough games against Getafe and Barcelona on the horizon.
Real Valladolid La Liga form: LDLLWW
Levante La Liga form: LLDDDD
Team News
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Valladolid will again be without the services of Raul Garcia and Kiko Olivas through injury, but the home side are otherwise in good shape heading into Friday's contest.
The impressive nature of the win over Granada last time out means that Sergio could decide to select the same XI, with Sergi Guardiola again operating alongside Maranhao in the final third.
Plano was on the scoresheet against Granada and should retain his spot in the XI, while Fabian Orellana is also expected to feature despite the return to fitness of Saidy Janko and presence of Jota.
Levante, meanwhile, are hopeful that goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez will shake off a knock to take his spot between the sticks, but Enis Bardhi is still unavailable for selection.
Ruben Rochina and Roger Marti are both pushing for spots in the XI, having featured off the bench against Elche, meaning that Jorge de Frutos and Dani Gomez could both drop to the bench.
Nemanja Radoja is also pushing for a spot in the middle of the park, but Mickael Malsa should again feature alongside Jose Campana.
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Hervias, Joaquin, Bruno, Nacho; Orellana, Alcaraz, Fede, Plano; Guardiola, Maranhao
Levante possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Miramon, Vezo, Postigo, Clerc; Rochina, Campana, Malsa, Melero; Morales, Marti
We say: Real Valladolid 2-2 Levante
There is not an awful lot between these two sides in terms of quality, and we are expecting a tight match on Friday night. Levante have been the draw specialists in recent weeks, proving difficult to beat despite being inside the bottom three. Valladolid will be eyeing a third straight success, but we are predicting an entertaining 2-2 draw at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla.
