La Liga: Los Blancos Need to Flip the Switch

Real Madrid vs Levante

A trip back at the Bernabeu may be what Real Madrid need as they look to keep their La Liga championship hopes alive.

Real Madrid are coming off of a decent showing last weekend as they bounced back with a thumping win against Alaves, who defeated them earlier this season.

But even with the win, Real Madrid’s efforts aren’t enough as they remain seven points adrift to league leaders and rivals Atletico Madrid, who currently have 47 points.

Now, the SBOTOP betting odds point for Los Rojiblancos to possibly win the championship given their lead and they still have a match on hand. In fact, they have yet to lose since mid-December.

So the pressure is on for Los Blancos to catch up if they want another taste at glory this term. However, their next opponents in Levante will present a tricky challenge.

Levante aren’t too shabby themselves as they’ve only lost once in their last seven games. They are sitting at the 12^th spot in the Spanish top-flight standings, which is right within their alley.

Something has to give between these two streaking clubs. But before we get into this weekend’s match, let’s take a look at our latest match preview.

Talking Points

Is the old Eden Hazard back?

With their schedule eased down to only one game per week, Real Madrid will now have a better chance to catch up to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish top-flight standings.

The reason why Real Madrid have yet to hit their peak form this season is because their lineup has been hit with injuries and COVID-19, leading to inconsistent performances on the pitch.

But once their squad is at full strength, team manager Zinedine Zidane now has more options to tinker with, lessening the pressure and wear and tear overall.

After battling with injuries for much of his stint so far with Los Blancos, Eden Hazard looks to have turned the corner.

Eden Hazard has scored his first La Liga goal since the end of October — Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard during the game vs Deportivo Alaves

He emerged as the best player on the pitch during their win over Alaves by scoring a goal of his own and teeing up with strike partner Karim Benzema for one of his two goals.

Although he isn’t as quick as during his time with Chelsea, Hazard was effective in a more clinical role – probing the Alaves backline with touch passes and occasional bursts of speed in his runs.

Certainly his performance last week was a welcome sight for Real Madrid. And if he can keep it up with more La Liga 2021 highlights, watch out.

Levante face their first big test of 2021

In recent weeks, Levante have shown to everyone that they’re no pushovers in Spanish top-flight.

After losing to Villarreal to start 2021, Paco Lopez’s men have been unbeaten in six straight games in all competitions.

Granted, most of their positive results came against lower-tier teams, so it’s safe to say that this weekend’s affair will be their first big test of the year.

Levante have a couple of capable goalscorers that should give Real Madrid’s backline headaches and they need to be on their A-game if they’ll avoid a two-game sweep this term.

Roger Marti and Jose Luis Morales are the marked men for Real Madrid as they’ve accounted for 15 goals and five assists so far.

History

Based on recent form and history, it would be shocking if Real Madrid won’t win in this match.

In the 27 matches they have played Levante, Real Madrid have won in 19 while losing in only five and drawing three times.

In the reverse fixture last October, Los Blancos came away with a 2-0 victory as Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema put in one goal apiece.

Before their game last October 2020, however, Levante notched a rare upset versus Real Madrid as Jose Luis Morales scored the only goal in the said contest.

Betting Tip

	Real Madrid vs Levante	Real Madrid Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 1.76
	January 30, 23:15 (GMT+8)

The latest La Liga 2021 odds are backing Real Madrid to grab their third domestic win in a row come this weekend.

Los Blancos are priced at 1.36, while Levante are placed at 7.60 and a draw is at 5.00 in the 1X2 market.

Real Madrid are expected to supply the goals for this game at a healthy amount while Levante will be hard pressed to do so, making Total Goals 2-3 @ 1.91 a plausible alternative.

While Zinedine Zidane’s men would suffer an occasional upset from their less heralded counterparts, it is unlikely that they’ll experience such fate given the rhythm that they are currently in.

As shown in most of their games, Real Madrid vs Levante will be tight in the first half but the defending champions should come away with a victory as they’ll flip the switch late to close things out.