Levante Faces Crucial Match Against Elche in Fight for Survival

Levante is set to undergo another crucial match in their desperate fight for survival in the First Division. They cannot afford any missteps in the derby that kicks off the matchday against Elche, a team that has recently faltered, reducing their cushion above the relegation zone.

Currently positioned second-to-last in the standings and six points away from safety — though with one game in hand — the Granota team is in urgent need of their first home victory of the season. However, they will be without Roger Brugué, Unai Elguezabal, Víctor García, and Diego Pampín, all sidelined due to injuries.

Coach Luís Castro may welcome back Oriol Rey, who has been struggling with knee discomfort, along with Matías Moreno, who missed games due to fatigue, and Kervin Arriaga, who has been dealing with muscular issues.

For this “final,” as the Portuguese coach has termed it, Levante’s supporters are preparing a special welcome for the team’s bus.

Meanwhile, Sarabia’s team remains in the upper tier of the standings, but their eighth position is misleading. In fact, they are eight points away from seventh place and only five points above the relegation zone, with Alavés close behind.

Elche has the opportunity in this derby to strike a significant blow against a direct rival, having already triumphed over Levante at the Martínez Valero earlier in the season. Interestingly, neither team has recorded a victory in their respective home grounds during this La Liga season.

On the sporting front, Elche travels with notable absences, similar to their previous match against Sevilla, including Víctor Chust, who is suspended.

In a key matchup, Etta Eyong faces Álvaro Rodríguez. The Cameroonian, following his stint in the Africa Cup of Nations, is seeking to regain the form that made him one of La Liga’s standout players. Meanwhile, the Hispano-Uruguayan is set to lead Elche’s attack in the absence of Rafa Mir.