Saturday is almost certainly going to be the day when Barcelona win La Liga. They will do so if Atletico Madrid lose against Valladolid earlier in the day but whatever the result in that match, three points will seal the title for Barca here. Levante though have reasons of their own to try and spoil the party and their chances are at least increased by what is likely to be some considerable rotation from the Catalans.
Barcelona host Liverpool on Wednesday in the 1st Leg of their Champions League Semi-Final. Ensuring everyone is as fresh as possible for that game will be the priority for Ernesto Valverde but he will also want to get the title won this weekend to allow his team to fully focus on Europe. Barca rested players in midweek but still won at Alaves and they will fancy they can do likewise here.
Goal! Arturo Vidal gets to the ball and heads it over the defence to Lionel Messi (Barcelona), who meets it nicely and fires in into the back of the net. 1:0.
One man who is expected to be rested by Valverde is Gerard Pique. Barca simply can’t afford for him to pick up an injury on the eve of a Champions League Semi-Final. That should see Samuel Umtiti come in and he hasn’t looked particularly assured or fit since returning from injury. Levante are a side that plays on the break and they have already won at the Bernabeu this season.The pace of Jose Luis Morales is perhaps their biggest weapon. He has netted 11 times this season and could be a real threat here. Backing Morales to score Anytime could be worth a punt.
It’s certainly a game that promises goals. Leo Messi was rested in midweek which suggests he will start here and that almost guarantees the Levante defence will have a tough evening. The visitors do have the worst defensive record in La Liga but they are also the joint 4th highest scorers having netted as many goals at Atletico Madrid.