Real to justify favourites tag
Real Madrid travel to Levante in pursuit of back to back to begin the La Liga campaign under Carlo Ancelotti. The Galacticos suffered a disappointing end to 2020/21, coming so close to stealing the title away from noisy neighbours Atletico Madrid. With Barcelona in transition having lost the irreplaceable services of Lionel Messi, this season presents a wonderful opening for Real Madrid to regain the league title. Karim Benzema is looking as fit as ever, Luka Modric refuses to age and hopefully Eden Hazard can finally announce himself in the Spanish capital, they come into this match as strong favourites.
Background
Levante provide a difficult away day for Real Madrid, with the hosts winning two of the last three meetings between the two sides. Ancelotti will be keen to hit the ground running with Galacticos, well aware of the cut throat ship Florentino Perez runs at the club.
Real have lost a talismanic figure themselves this summer with Sergio Ramos also moving to Paris Saint-Germain, a crushing blow compounded by Raphael Varane’s transfer to Manchester United. The cost cutting efforts are clear for all to see at Real, possibly hinting as to why they took Ancelotti away from Everton rather than a more long term investment. However, despite the finances being reined in a touch, the ambitions will not and the board will be confident they have a group of players capable of winning La Liga.
Levante are likely to look to contain initially in this matchup and therefore a goals angle could be enticing, Thibaut Courtois continues to put in incredible performances in an era of world class goalkeepers, the Belgian will be a key man in Ancelotti’s title bid. Not only are Real desperate to win their league, but to maintain their reputation but they need to be generating greater organic income to decrease the time before they can properly compete in the transfer once again. The Champions League is not a realistic avenue of success this time around.
Levante will give a good account of themselves but ultimately Benzema and the boys should show their class.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
3-3, Levante strong opposition for Real once again.