Preview: Levante vs. Albacete - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts, who are looking to return to La Liga at the first time of asking, take a crucial lead into Wednesday's contest after claiming a 3-1 first-leg victory over Albacete.

Match preview

After missing out on promotion on the final day of the season, Levante quickly picked themselves for the first leg where they came from behind to claim a significant away win.

Jorge de Frutos found the net on the half-hour mark to cancel out Mohamed Djetei's opener, before the Albacete defender scored an own goal to give Levante a narrow lead at the interval.

De Frutos grabbed his second after the restart to give Levante a two-goal advantage, and they saw out the remainder of the contest to secure a third consecutive victory.

With the away goals rule in use, Levante are firmly in the driving seat and having avoided defeat in their last six competitive meetings with Albacete, the omens seem positive for Wednesday's hosts.

Having lost just one of their last 16 home league matches, the Granotes will be confident of protecting their first-leg advantage to advance to the final where they will face either Deportivo Alaves and Eibar.

Meanwhile, Albacete's hopes of returning to the top flight for the first time since 2005 are left hanging by a thread after their seven-game unbeaten run came to an end in the first leg.

The Queso Mecanico know that they need to record a 3-1 victory of their own to send the tie to extra-time or win by three goals or more to progress to the final.

The odds may be stacked against them, but Albacete can draw inspiration from the fact that they ended the regular season with the joint third-best away record in the Segunda division.

Wednesday's visitors collected 30 points from their 21 away matches and scored 28 league goals on their travels - more than any other side in the second tier.

However, since beating Levante 3-1 in January 1998, Albacete have gone 10 away meetings without picking up a victory against the Granotes.

Levante Segunda Division form:

W

L

D

W

W

W

Albacete Segunda Division form:

D

W

D

D

W

L

Team News

Levante are still without the services of long-term absentees Jose Campana and Pablo Martinez, while Rober Ibanez remains a doubt after missing the last three matches.

After claiming a 3-1 victory Sunday's away trip, Levante boss Javier Calleja could decide to name an unchanged lineup.

Wesley was suspended for Sunday's win, but the 26-year-old is expected to provide Calleja with a useful option off the bench for the second leg.

As for the visitors, injury issues will prevent Sergi Maestre and Diegui from featuring at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia.

After dropping down to the bench for the first leg, Julio Alonso could be recalled to the side to slot in at left-back.

With Albacete in need of goals, Higinio Marin may also be presented with starting place, and he will be looking to add to his 11-goal league tally for the season.

Levante possible starting lineup:

Femenias; Pubil, Postigo, Pier, Munoz; Montiel, Iborra, Pepelu, de Frutos; Brugue, Bouldini

Albacete possible starting lineup:

Aitube; A. Rodriguez, Boyomo, Glauder, Alonso; Dubasin, Olaetxea, R. Rodriguez, Fuster; Marin, Escriche

We say: Levante 2-1 Albacete

Previews by email