PREVIEW: FC Barcelona v Levante
There’s no doubting the importance of Saturday evening’s fixture. Levante are the visitors to Camp Nou and they’ll be aiming to ensure that Ernesto Valverde’s side don’t earn the three points that will ensure another La Liga title. For their part, Los Granotas also are in need of the victory as they sit just three points above the bottom three.
How to follow the game live
The game kicks off at 8.45pm CEST. A list of broadcasters can be found here and these are the timetables for the rest of the world.
The rival
Top scorer: Roger Martí (12)
Coach: Paco López
Ex-blaugranes in the team: Oier, Rubén Rochina
La Liga record (2018/19): P34 W9 D10 L15
Current form
#1 Barça W W W D W W
#15 Levante W D L D L D
Interesting stats and facts
Barça have scored at least two goals in 12 of their last 13 league games at Camp Nou, whilst Levante have failed to win in 11 of their last 12 away matches in the league.
Levante have scored at least two goals in five of their last six league games, and Barça have kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight home matches against Los Granotas in all competitions.
Barça are unbeaten in their last 22 league matches, have won their last 13 home matches against Levante in all competitions and scored at least three goals in the last six of those.
Levante also wear blaugrana as their home kit. This was as a result of their merger in 1939 with Gimnástico. Both clubs were formed in 1909 as Levante FC and Gimnástico FC, but during the Spanish Civil War, Levante’s ground was destroyed whilst Gimnástico lost most of their players. Therefore, Levante Unión Deportiva (Levante UD) was formed.
The blaugrana colours of Gimnástico were used as the home kit, whilst Levante’s black and white kit would become the away colours. Los Granotas, or ‘The Frogs’ was the nickname inherited from Gimnástico for the newly-formed club. They were so called because Gimnástico’s Estadio de Vallejo was located close to an old river bed which was home to a large number of frogs.
Last time we met
The squad
Ernesto Valverde named a 22 man list for the visit of Levante after training on Friday - more details right here.
Levante welcome back Rubén Rochina after the former blaugrana missed the 4-0 win over Betis due to suspension. Defenders Cabaco and Postigo are also back after missing Wednesday's win at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium due to injury.
Coaches' view
Paco López: "Barça are playing for the league but we are also playing for our own league"
Ernesto Valverde; "Tomorrow we want to be Champions"