H2H: Athletic Bilbao vs. Levante – Prediction (La Liga

Preview and Teams Comparison.

Athletic have only lost two of their 13 home LaLiga games against Levante (W9 D2 L2).

Athletic Bilbao’s defence has been a tough nut to crack at home this campaign, with just one goal conceded before half-time. This has helped them construct a first-half goal difference of +5, and resulted in three of their four victories being accompanied by half-time leads, with all four yielding clean sheets. The in-form Yeray Álvarez (ATH) is averaging an impressive 7.6 defensive actions per LL game, and he will go up against Roger Martí (LEV), who scored in both fixtures against Bilbao last season. The last 11 H2H meetings hosted by Athletic Bilbao have all produced a match winner, and with just one 1-1 draw played out at Bilbao’s ground so far this La Liga (LL) season – and no draws recorded by Levante on the road – there is little to suggest that the points will be shared here.

Strong starts have also been hugely important to Levante this season, and their fortunes on the road so far. After 12 rounds of LL action, they remain one of just six top-tier clubs to have failed to record a single away point when conceding first (L3). Furthermore, they possess a second-half goal difference of -3 on the road.

Bilbao have collected fewer yellow cards (20) than any other LL club in the first 12 league rounds. All but one of Bilbao’s dozen LL fixtures in 2019/20 have seen two or fewer goals scored. Referee Javier Alberola Rojas has awarded just 2.50 yellow cards per-game in his six LL assignments.

Levante also retain one of the LL’s poorest win/draw rates (33.33%) as an away outsider (W2, L4), despite securing three half-time draws in those four away losses. Somewhat significantly though, the loss at consistent home favourites Real Madrid is the sole instance of Levante trailing at the break on the road.