Espanyol
LevanteEspanyol host Levante at RCDE Stadium on 16 August in Round 1 of LaLiga, with the visitors bringing the stronger overall sequence of recent league results into the new fixture. Levante have won six of their last 10 league matches, while Espanyol have managed two victories over the same stretch. The hosts do arrive with a more encouraging short-term sequence, however, taking seven points from their final three matches of that run.
Levante's recent results carry more weight
Levante won three consecutive matches against Osasuna, Celta Vigo and Mallorca before losing 2-1 away to Betis in their most recent outing. That run followed earlier victories over Sevilla, Getafe and Oviedo. Espanyol's results have been less consistent, although wins over Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna were followed by a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad. Earlier in the sequence they also suffered defeats against Real Madrid, Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona and Getafe.
Absences on both sides
Espanyol are without Kike Garcia because of a hamstring injury and Javi Puado because of a knee injury. Garcia has also featured among the home side's stronger recent attacking performers. Levante have Roger Brugue unavailable following a red card, while Alejandro Primo is listed with a shoulder injury. Among the players available in recent matches, Kervin Arriaga and Carlos Espi have been prominent for Levante, while Marko Dmitrovic, Carlos Romero and Exposito have stood out for Espanyol.
Recent meetings have been difficult to separate
The broader head-to-head record favours Espanyol, who have won five of the last 10 meetings compared with one Levante victory, with four draws. The two most recent encounters were both level: a 0-0 draw at RCDE Stadium and a 1-1 draw at Levante. Seven of the 10 meetings saw both teams score, although the two latest games have been considerably tighter than several of the older fixtures.
Levante arrive with the stronger overall run
Levante's six wins from their last 10 league matches give them the clearer recent-results advantage, but Espanyol have improved across their latest three outings and have also held the upper hand across the wider H2H record. With the two most recent meetings ending in draws, the opening round brings together a stronger recent Levante sequence and an Espanyol side that finished its latest run with better results.
Where to watch Espanyol vs Levante
In Spain, the match is listed on M+ LaLiga. UK coverage is available through Premier Sports 2 and Premier Sports Player, while viewers in the USA have ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, SportsEngine Play and fubo Sports Network listed. In Romania, the broadcasters are Digi Sport 3, Prima Sport 2 and Prima TV. DAZN Italia carries the match in Italy, DAZN / App is listed for Portugal, and Laola1 is listed in Germany and Austria. The supplied worldwide listings also include SuperSport LaLiga (Afr), DAZN, DAZN 1, DAZN 2 Bar, beIN Connect MENA, beIN Connect MENA 2 and DGO Latin America.