Elche vs Levante Best odds and tips

Elche are the current leaders of LaLiga 2 with 71 points from 38 games, but Levante are breathing down their necks in second with 67 points, just four points behind the pacesetters ahead of this weekend’s clash. Elche boss Eder Sarabia has brought tactical flexibility and a touch of steel to the club in his debut season at the helm, leading his team to the summit of the second tier. Levante’s Julian Calero has done a similarly impressive job to get his side into the promotion mix with a possession-based approach that allows them to control the ball and dictate the tempo. These two teams have played out three LaLiga 2 fixtures so far this season, with Levante winning once and the other two finishing all square. Elche are yet to beat Levante in the league, but the last meeting between the two sides finished 1-1, and another close contest is expected.

Elche are 2.04 favourites to win this game at home, but Levante are just four behind at 3.70, which reflects just how close this contest is likely to be. The hosts are unbeaten in their last five league games (W3, D2), while Levante have W2, D2 and L1 in their last five, so both sides have proven their ability to grind out results at the business end of the season. Elche’s home form has been a big factor in their rise to the top of the table, as they have won one and drawn one of their last two at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. Levante’s away form has been less impressive, with seven wins, six draws and six defeats from 19 away league games.

Elche have scored 34 goals in LaLiga 2 at home this season, while Levante average 1.11 goals per game on the road, scoring 21 times in total. The directness of Elche will clash with Levante’s more patient style on Saturday, and that could lead to an intriguing tactical battle. With Elche narrowly favoured and in excellent form at home, we’re backing the hosts to edge out Levante in what should be a tense and hard-fought encounter. Agustin Alvarez is Elche’s top scorer this season with eight goals in 33 LaLiga 2 games, while veteran Levante striker Jose Luis Morales has 10 in 38. Nicolas Fernandez has scored two of Elche’s last six goals in five games, so he could be worth a flutter in the anytime goalscorer market.