Valencia vs Levante Match Preview
The Valencian derby features two of the most effective tournaments of the second half of the Spanish league. Levante rescued a huge point last Wednesday against Barcelona, claiming the 12th position on the table standings with 42 points.
Both squads have almost secured their objectives for this season (Valencia confirmed its ticket to the Champions League many weeks ago), but there's much more at stake at this week's Clasico than three points.
Felipe Caicedo was once again the one to lead Levante to a moral victory in a difficult match against Liga leader Barcelona. The Ecuadorian international found the equalizer thanks to his endless hunger for glory, being in the right place at the right time to take full advantage of Gerard Pique's defensive mistake at the end of the first half against Guardiola's Blaugranas.
Caicedo's partnership with Valmiro Lopes (Valdo) and Xisco Nadal beared fruits at the Reyno, and Luis Garcia is expected to assume the same offensive stance to tame Valencia at the Mestalla.It's been four years since Levante defeated Valencia for the last time, back in 2006.
Let's not forget Valencia score six goals in the last two derbies, and Luis Garcia will be missing defender Asier del Horno and midfielder Juanlu.
Brazilian striker Jonas Goncalves is likely to maintain its position in the starting squad, as Roberto Soldado's new partner on the attack.
Can Levante celebrate another unexpected victor and climb even higher on the table standings, this time at Valencia's Mestalla?