Levante set for progression in the Segunda promotion playoffs
Levante UD vs Albacete Balompie - 07/06/2023
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Levante go into the second leg of their Segunda semifinal playoff against Albacete with a 3-1 lead. The Frogs can finish off Albacete on Wednesday and progress to the playoff final.
On the other side of the Segunda playoff bracket are Eibar and Deportivo Alaves. Their series is level at 1-1 after the first leg. Three of the four teams in the Segunda playoffs were in La Liga not long ago. Levante are trying to return to the top flight after just one season away.
Albacete are aiming to spoil Levante’s hopes of a quick return to La Liga. Alba finished the Segunda season in sixth place and just five points off third-place Levante.
The end of the Segunda season was cruel for Levante, as they finished level on points with second-place Las Palmas but missed out on promotion due to goal difference.
Levante are on a three-match winning streak in all competitions going into the match on Wednesday. Each of their last three matches finished with both teams scoring goals.
Albacete went into the playoffs unbeaten in six straight games in the Segunda. Their last four matches in all competitions finished with both teams scoring goals. Alba were the Segunda’s top-scoring team this season with 58 goals in 42 league matches.
The Clockwork Cheese conceded 47 times, which was the eighth-highest number of goals during the campaign. Levante, on the other hand, conceded the Segunda’s third-fewest goals, with 30. The Frogs posted 46 goals scored across 42 league matches.
Levante were a well-balanced side throughout the season. They posted a regular season record of 18W-18D-6L.
These teams met three times previously this season in league and playoff matches. Levante went unbeaten in the three previous fixtures, posting a 3-2 away win in the league, a nil-nil draw at home in the league, and a 3-1 playoff match away.
The semifinal first leg saw Albacete take an early lead through Mohamed Dejetei in the 18th minute. Levante came back with three unanswered goals. Jorge de Frutos levelled the score on 30 minutes, and four minutes later, Alba’s Djetei scored an own goal. De Frutos added a third in the second half.
Coach Ruben Albes could be without midfielder Sergi Maestre due to a muscle injury. Defender Diegui has been ruled out of the game for Albacete due to a knee injury.
Levante coach Javier Calleja is unlikely to have Mohamed Bouldini or Robert Ibanez fit for the match. Meanwhile, both Jose Campana and Pablo Martinez are ruled out.
Levante should continue their dominance over Albacete with a 1-1 draw. The teams drew the last time they met at the Ciutat de Valencia and should do it once more.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
Es2
265321
X
1 - 1
1.99
21° 3.60
1.73
3.60
4.50
no
no
no
3 - 0(2 - 0)