Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
Villarreal will be looking to build on a thrilling 5-2 win over Deportivo Alaves when they host Levante to their Estadio de la Ceramica in the first game of the year. The Yellow Submarine have been showing signs of improvement of late, but they need to keep on winning if they are to represent Spain in the Champions League next term. Both Ruben Pena and Francis Coquelin are sidelined with injuries, but there are no suspended players in the home team.
Senegal attacker Boulaye Dia should keep his place in the starting XI after scoring a brace in the last league match. Both Paco Alcacer and Arnaut Danjuma are rated doubtful for the game. Los Levantinos, on the other hand, have been struggling at the back in recent weeks, and seeing that they conceded 11 goals in total in the previous three games in all competitions, home win should be considered. Midfielder Mickael Malsa is back from suspension for the visiting side.
Highlighted Player (Aissa Mandi):
Aissa Mandi is a product of Reims’ youth school. After playing eight matches for Reims II in the 2009/2010 season, he started playing for the first team in 2010. Mandi made his Reims debut against Le Havre on 20 August, 2010 and he remained at Stade Auguste Delaune until 30 June, 2016, when he decided to join Spanish side Real Betis.
The Algeria international, who was born in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, signed a five-year contract with los Beticos which expires on 30 June, 2021. His main position is centre back, but he is capable of playing as a full back as well. The right-footed defender made his Algeria debut on 5 March, 2014 and he helped the Algerian national team keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Slovenia.
Mandi impressed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but he scored his first goal for Algeria in a 3-3 draw with Ethiopia in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He represented Algeria at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as well.
Highlighted Team (Levante ):
Levante Union Deportiva is a Spanish football club from the city Valencia and is playing in the highest Spanish football division since 2010. The club is the second biggest of Valencia after the very known football club Valencia CF. The Valencia derby is one of the most hectic football games in the region. The nickname of Levante UD is Las Granotes which literally means the frogs. The club host it’s home games in the Ciutat de Valencia Stadium which holds a capacity of 26 000 seats. The club colors of Levante are blue and red.
The biggest success of Levante UD was in 1937 where the club won the Copa del Rey. Other prizes Levante won in lower divisions are the Segunda Division A in 2004 and the Seguda Division B in 1999. Famous players that played for Levante are Johan Cruyff, Sergio Garcia, Arveladze and Juanfran.