Barcelona, the reigning LaLiga champions, travel to Valencia to face newly promoted Levante, who returned to the top flight after winning the Segunda Division. Levante opened the season with a 2-1 defeat to Alaves and have won only six of 45 meetings with Barcelona, though they beat Barcelona 5-4 in 2018. Barcelona began with a 3-0 victory over nine-man Mallorca, with goals from Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal, and currently top the table after a 102-goal title season aided by new signing Marcus Rashford. Levante face goalkeeper injury concerns and several fitness doubts, while Barcelona remain without Marc-Andre ter Stegen and may limit Robert Lewandowski to the bench; Jules Kounde is expected to start at right-back.
LaLiga champions Barcelona travel to Valencia on Saturday night to face newly-promoted Levante, who are back in the top flight after winning the Segunda Division title last season. Levante's return to the big stage didn't start as planned, as they fell 2-1 to Alaves on the opening weekend - a disappointing result given both sides are expected to be involved in the relegation scrap.
As for Hansi Flick's men, they eased past nine-man Mallorca 3-0 i n their opening match. Early goals from Raphinha and Ferran Torres set the tone before Lamine Yamal added a third late on. Already sitting top of the table, Barca look every bit as dominant as they were last season, when they scored 102 goals en route to the title. With Marcus Rashford added to their firepower, few expect them to slow down.
Levante are missing goalkeeper Alfonso Pastor through injury, while Jon Ander Olasagasti, Kervin Arriaga, Goduine Koyalipou and Alan Matturro remain fitness doubts. Jeremy Toljan, who scored on debut against Alaves, should keep his place at right wing-back, with new signing Manu Sanchez on the opposite flank. Roger Brugue, who netted 11 goals last season, is set to lead the line.
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