Levante v Sporting Gijon: Villarreal voluptuous going forward and could pose a threat

MARK O’HAIRE (@MarkOHaire) shares his verdict on the best bets for Monday night’s live La Liga action from Valencia.

Levante v Villareal | Monday 19.15 | Sky Sports

Levante could bounce straight back to La Liga by winning the Segunda division by a monster 14 points. They lost just one of 21 games at home and that form is something they will be looking to carry into the new season. Expect Les Granotes to start fast and get at Villarreal early. They could possibly be a bet on the corner count (Villarreal conceded an average of 7 corners per away game in La Liga last season).

Villarreal finished five points shy of a Champions League spot last season. Away from home, they look to sit deep and counter. They’re a tough-to-beat unit, only Atletico Madrid had a better defensive record last season.

They’ve strengthened well over the summer and this week’s acquisition of Carlos Bacca could be the business that fires them into the top 4. They lacked an out-and-out goal scorer but Bacca can change that.

Powerful defender Ruben Semedo replaces Mateo Mussachio after an impressive U21 Euro’s with Portugal, while Pablo Fornals and Ernes Unal come in with a good pedigree. If Fran Escriba’s team can weather the early Levante storm, they have to be fancied to come away with maximum points at 7/5.