Levante secured a comfortable 3-1 victory in the first leg at Estadio Carlos Belmonte on Saturday evening courtesy of Jorge de Frutos' s brace and an own goal by Mohammed Djetei.
Follow Us
Levante will host Albacete in the second leg of their Segunda Division semi-final playoff tie at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on Tuesday. The hosts secured a comfortable 3-1 victory in the first leg at Estadio Carlos Belmonte on Saturday evening and are looking set to return to La Liga at the first time of asking. Although Albacete opened the scoring through Mohammed Djetei’s 18th-minute effort, Granotes scored the equaliser on the half-hour mark thanks to Jorge de Frutos’ 30th-minute strike, before Djetei’s own goal four minutes later put Levente ahead. Eleven minutes into the second half, Frutos’ second of the night sealed the win for Los Azulgranas.
🐸🔥 𝗧 𝝝 𝗠 𝝝 𝗥 𝗥 𝝝 𝗪 🔥🐸
🏟️ Ciutat de València pic.twitter.com/FS1aJjFbLp
— Levante UD 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@LevanteUDen) June 6, 2023
With the away goal rule in use, Levante are firmly in the driving seat and having extended their winning run to three games, scoring eight times in the process, the Frogs are certainly in the driving seat to progress to the final. Moreover, Javier Calleja’s side have lost only one of their last 16 home league games, while recording 10 victories in the process. Los Azulgranas missed out on automatic promotion by the skin of their teeth courtesy of finishing at the third position, level on points with second-placed Las Palmas but separated by goal-difference. Meanwhile, Granotes have not lost against Albacete in their last six encounters, while winning three times in the process.
On the other hand, Albacete’s hopes of returning to the top flight for the first time since 2005 looks bleak after their seven-game unbeaten run came to an end in the first leg. Clockwork Cheese need to secure a 3-1 victory on Tuesday to send the game into extra time or win by three goals or more to progress to the final. Although the odds are against them, Alba can draw inspiration from the fact that, they ended the regular season with the joint third-best away-record in the Second tier. Queso Mecanico collected 30 points from their 21 league games on the road and scored 28 top flight goals in the process, more than any other side in the Segunda Division.
Levante probable starting lineup: Femenias, Pubil, Postigo, Pier, Munoz, Montiel, Iborra, Pepelu, de Frutos, Brugue, Bouldini
Albacete probable starting lineup: Aitube, A. Rodriguez, Boyomo, Glauder, Alonso, Dubasin, Olaetxea, R. Rodriguez, Fuster, Marin, Escriche
Levante
| Opponents | Score |
| Albacete | 1-3 (W) |
| R. Oviedo | 2-1 (W) |
| Villarreal B | 2-3 (W) |
| UD Ibiza | 0-0 (D) |
| Tenerife | 1-0 (L) |
Albacete
| Opponents | Score |
| Levante | 1-3 (L) |
| Mirandes | 2-1 (W) |
| Ponferradina | 1-1 (D) |
| Alaves | 1-1 (D) |
| UD Ibiza | 0-5 (W) |
| Last 5 match-results | Score |
| Levante beat Albacete | 1-3 |
| Levante draw Albacete | 0-0 |
| Levante beat Albacete | 2-3 |
| Levante beat Albacete | 2-3 |
| Levante draw Albacete | 0-0 |
The second leg of the Segunds Division semi-final playoff tie between Levante and Albacete will take place at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on Thursday at 12:30 am IST.
| Levante vs Albacete | Key Details |
| Date | June 7 (Spain) |
| Venue | Estadio Ciudad de Valencia |
| Kickoff time in Spain | 9:00 pm (Wednesday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 12:30 am (Thursday) |
Football fans in Spain can catch the live action via LaLiga SmartBank TV, #Vamos and Movistar +.
More football news:
West Ham United news: David Moyes explains how he will approach the Europa Conference League final
