Levante – Real Madrid. Mark O’Haire’s prediction

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane admitted after Saturday night’s derby defeat to Atletico Madrid – his first loss in charge of Los Blancos – that the La Liga title race was done and dusted.

The 10-times European champions are 12 points behind bitter rivals Barcelona with their inferior head-to-head record effectively making the gap 13 points. For the most expensive team in history, one league title in eight seasons is virtually certain.

So how will they react when they head to Levante? For starters, this is (and has never been) a stroll for the capital club. Exclude last season’s walkover, Madrid’s last five visits to the Ciutat de Valencia have seen them W2-D1-L2 with neither victory secured by more than the odd goal.

If the real Real rock up and do their thing, victory will follow. But pride has been damaged, morale hurt and motivation questionable considering the circumstances. And if that wasn’t enough, Zidane’s without a host of key players this midweek.

Gareth Bale isn’t yet fit enough to return, Karim Benzema is sidelined whilst Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal are suspended. Pepe might be rushed back to partner Raphael Varane in central defence with Nacho plugging the left-back gap. It’s certainly not ideal.

Since Zidane was appointed, Madrid have W1-D2-L0 in their three away trips, leaking a goal in each. And since the start of 2015/16, Los Blancos have returned average W5-D5-L2 figures on their travels for a side that should be challenging with the cream of the crop – only three of those 12 games were won by at least a two-goal margin.

So although centre-back David Navarro is banned, I reckon Levante can keep this clash close and competitive, therefore I’ll be backing the Frogs with a +1 handicap at 2.60.

Levante were terrible when losing 3-0 at Villarreal on Sunday but the Frogs are a different kettle of fish when hosting La Liga action.

The Valencia-based outfit have returned three wins from their last four on home soil and since head coach Rubi was appointed, they’ve been beaten by more than one goal once in eight at Ciutat de Valencia.

That loss came against Barcelona (0-2) and the rock-bottom side gave the Catalans a real run for their money for 88 minutes – it just so happened they conceded an early own goal and a 92nd minute strike from Luis Suarez.

Madrid should be turning Levante over here but without two of their famous front-three, crucial defensive players and just a 42% win-rate on the road, I’m happy to oppose them.