Levante welcomed Athletic Bilbao to Valencia on Sunday looking to move off the bottom of the La Liga table.
Both sides had opportunities in the first half of football, but neither could make the breakthrough.
Bilbao had the lead early in the second period, however, when Aritz Aduriz fired one into the bottom corner.
Levante had opportunities to level as the half progressed, but Aduriz netted a second late on to secure all the points for the visitors.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Valencia as Levante welcome Athletic Bilbao. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of the match between these two out-of-form sides, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
LEVANTE: Marino; Morales, Vyntra, El Adoua, Juanfran; Camarasa, Simao, Ivanschitz, Xumetra; Barral, Casadesus
BILBAO: Iraizoz; Iraola, Gurpegui, Laporte, Balenziaga; Rico, Iturraspe; De Marcos, Unai, Muniain; Aduriz
So there we have it. Levante boss Lucas Alcaraz is certainly going for it here, with the Spaniard naming an attacking XI. David Barral and Victor Casadesus both come into the team, while there is also a spot for Andreas Ivanschitz. However, new loan signing Bryan Ruiz has not been included in the squad.
Bilbao, meanwhile, welcome Iker Muniain back into the team. The Spaniard will support lone forward Aritz Aduriz, while Ander Iturraspe has also returned to the middle of midfield. Unai Lopez keeps his spot in a wide area, but Ibai Gomez drops to the bench. Both managers have selected attacking XIs.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Bilbao have won three of the last five matches, with Levante also winning twice. The reverse match earlier this season ended in a 3-0 Bilbao win, while the Basque outfit recorded a 2-1 victory in this stadium last season. It is now three straight wins for Bilbao against Levante. Will that become four here? Little over 15 minutes until kickoff.
Levante, in truth, are really struggling. They are without a win in their last eight league games, with that run of form leaving them bottom on 16 points. They have won just three of their 20 league matches, losing 10 times in the process. That said, they are just two points from the safety of 17th position.
Levante's home form has been a problem this season, with just two wins from their nine matches, while they have scored just six times on their own patch this term. They are also the lowest scorers in the league on 13, while their defensive record of 35 conceded is the third-worst in the entire division.
Bilbao, meanwhile, are without a league win in seven league games, which is their worst run of form since March 2009. That said, the Basque side managed to end their four-match losing run with a 1-1 draw at home to Malaga last time out. As it stands, the visitors sit 14th in the table on 20 points.
Levante might have struggled for goals at home, but Bilbao have had the same problem on the road. Ernesto Valverde's side have netted just five times in their 10 away league games this season – recording just two wins in the process. All the omens point to a goalless draw. Let us all hope not!
PREDICTION! Both of these sides are struggling for results at the moment, but Bilbao have been in decent form in recent weeks. They should have beaten Malaga last weekend and the return of Muniain could prove crucial. I really fancy the visitors to claim all the points. Let's go for a 2-0 Bilbao win.
Not a full house inside the stadium here, but there is a strong atmosphere. It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes underway as morning becomes afternoon in Valencia. Let's hope for a cracker.
It has been a blustery old morning in Valencia and that has continued into the afternoon here. Both sides will be keen to gain a foothold in the early moments and Bilbao have managed just that thus far.
Half-chance for the home side as Juanfran drives down the left before delivering a dangerous cross into the Bilbao box, but Laporte manages to block a shot from Barral. Bright opening three minutes.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances thus far, but Bilbao have a sight of goal when Aduriz meets a cross from Iraola, with the striker's header looping just high of Diego Marino's crossbar.
BOOKING! Iraola (Bilbao) goes into the book for a late challenge on Barral.
Another half-chance for Bilbao as Gurpegi meets a free kick from Rico, but the centre-back's header is straight into the arms of Marino. Still goalless, but it has been a bright opening seven minutes here.
Good pressure from the home side in the last couple of minutes, with Morales delivering a dangerous cross from the right, but Laporte manages to clear. Levante want a penalty following a potential handball inside the box, but it would have been harsh on Balenziaga. It was certainly not intentional.
CROSSBAR! Bilbao come close to taking the lead as Balenziaga delivers an excellent cross into Muniain, who strikes first time towards the top corner, but his effort hits the crossbar. Stunning counter from the visitors and they really should be ahead. Easily the best opportunity thus far.
Levante's main threat is coming down the right, with Morales delivering another cross towards the far post, but Camarasa can only cross into the side netting. End-to-end football with 14 minutes played.
CLOSE! Levante's best chance falls to Morales as the full-back drives down the right before cutting inside and firing one towards the bottom corner, but his low effort just misses the post.
De Marcos has started to support Aduriz for Bilbao, but the final ball has proved elusive in the last few minutes. Muniain remains a threat in a wide area, but the home side's best threat is coming from Morales. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital here.
CLOSE! Levante come close to taking the lead as Camarasa's curling effort takes a deflection off Laporte, but his effort just drops high of the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Iraizoz makes an excellent save to deny Vyntra. Good pressure from Levante in the last couple of minutes here.
CHANCE! Simao is next to come close for the home side after meeting yet another corner, but his header drops wide of the post. Levante really, really should be ahead at this stage.
BOOKING! Simao (Levante) is booked for a late challenge on Aduriz.
Well, 25 minutes into this contest and the score remains goalless. There have been chances at either end, however, with Muniain rattling the crossbar for Bilbao in just about the best opportunity thus far.
Not too much from Bilbao in terms of attacking intent in the last couple of minutes, but they are enjoying a lot of ball possession. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in Valencia.
Muniain meets a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his effort was always flying high and wide of the crossbar. Both managers will be content with matters thus far. Both sides have had their moments.
Another half-chance for the home side as Morales, who has been excellent, delivers a low cross towards Barral, but Laporte manages to clear for a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered towards the centre of the goal, but Iraizoz is on hand to claim. Still goalless with 33 minutes on the clock here.
CHANCE! Bilbao come close to opening the scoring as Muniain collects a quick throw from Iraola before lifting a cross over Marino, but Aduriz cannot make contact ahead of Juanfran. The home side are down the other end moments later, but Simao fires his effort straight at the goalkeeper.
Aduriz is on the deck once again following an aerial challenge from Simao, but the referee takes no further action. That is one to watch. For me, Simao has won the ball quite clearly there.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking intent in the last few minutes, with both sides just attempting to retain possession of the ball. It has been a lively first 40 minutes of football here.
It is all a little untidy at the moment, as a number of late challenges interrupt the flow.
Just a reminder that three points would move Levante out of the relegation zone, but Bilbao are also in need of the points amid their poor recent run. Still goalless in the latter moments of the half.
HALF-TIME: Levante 0-0 Bilbao
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. Both have had opportunities to open the scoring, but the best chance fell to Bilbao, with Muniain rattling the crossbar from close range. It has been an entertaining 45 minutes in Valencia despite the scoreline.
STATS! Bilbao have just about shaded the possession with 51%, while they have had six attempts, just one of which has been on target. Levante, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their seven attempts. There have also been two bookings, with both teams picking up one card thus far.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of El Zhar, Ruben Garcia and Mari all in reserve. Bilbao, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Inaki Williams and Markel Susaeta. Will either manager make a change at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough here? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
SUBS! Both sides have made changes at the interval. Diop is on for the home team in place of Simao, while Susaeta has replaced Unai Lopez for Bilbao. Let's hope for goals in this half!
It is not much of a surprise that Simao has been replaced at the break - the midfielder had been booked and was walking a fine line. Bilbao have started the second half on the front foot here.
CLOSE! Oh my word! Bilbao come within a whisker of scoring as Marino allows a strike from Susaeta to drift through his hands, but the stopper claims just before the ball passes over the line. Almost a horror moment from the goalkeeper. Plenty happening in the early moments of this half.
GOAL! Levante 0-1 Bilbao (Aduriz)
Bilbao make the breakthrough with 49 minutes on the clock as Aduriz turns inside the Levante box before firing one into the bottom corner. That is a super, super goal from the Spanish forward.
Bilbao are in the mood for a second goal here as they break down the right once more. It was De Marcos that found Aduriz for the goal and the Spaniard looks a real threat in a wide area at the moment.
CHANCE! Oh my word how is it not 2-0? Bilbao have another stunning chance as Aduriz puts one on a plate for Muniain, but somehow the Spaniard heads wide of the post from close range.
It is simply all Bilbao at the moment with 55 minutes on the clock.
You just get the feeling that Levante need to score the next goal if they are to take something here. They have really struggled for home goals this season and 2-0 would be difficult to recover from.
SUB! Levante make their second change as Uche replaces Ivanschitz.
Victory for Bilbao would move them into 11th position in the table, while it probably goes without saying that Levante would remain bottom as it stands. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but the home side do not really look capable of finding the back of the net here.
It has been a little better from the home side in the last couple of minutes, but they are finding it difficult to thread that elusive final ball, with a series of stoppages harming their attacking flow.
BOOKINGS! De Marcos (Bilbao) and Barral (Levante) are both booked for a coming-together off the ball. It is all becoming a little untidy at the moment. Little over 25 minutes to play here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Levante have started to find some possession in the Bilbao half. I still fancy there to be another goal in Valencia here.
Bilbao remain a threat down the right, with De Marcos causing problems with another deep cross, but this time Aduriz's header is blocked. Levante are down the other end with Barral moments later, but his pass is cut out by Laporte. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga clash.
CHANCE! Aduriz comes close to scoring his second after breaking past the Levante defence, but his low strike just moves wide of the post. The striker is usually so deadly from those areas.
SUB! Levante make their third and final change as Ruben Garcia replaces Barral.
It is a double whammy for Bilbao as Iturraspe brings Diop to the ground on the edge of the box and injures himself in the process. Good chance for Levante to draw level here...
... the resulting free kick is played short before Casadesus has an attempt on goal, but his volley was always moving wide of the post. It was a clever set piece from the home side it must be said.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a chance for the home side! First, Bilbao stopper Iraizoz makes a super save to deny Xumetra from close range, before the stopper keeps Garcia out from inside the box after the ball had broken loose. Levante are really pressing for an equaliser here, but Bilbao hold on.
Bilbao just need to get hold of the ball at the moment and they have a chance to do just that after winning a free kick in the Levante half. Bilbao are preparing to make their second change, meanwhile.
SUB! Bilbao do indeed make their second change as San Jose replaces Muniain.
Little under 10 minutes of football remaining and still Bilbao lead 1-0. Levante are really pressing now, however, with Garcia at the forefront of their challenge. Is there to be late drama in Valencia?
Bilbao are defending the edge of their own box at the moment, which is a dangerous tactic as Levante continue to force numbers into the box. Little over five minutes of football remaining here.
Another half-chance for the home side as Garcia hits a cross towards the far post, which almost drops into the top corner, but Iraizoz is in charge of the situation. Levante are really pressing here.
BOOKING! Aduriz (Bilbao) is booked for a late challenge on Vyntra.
CHANCE! Bilbao come close to scoring a second as Susaeta breaks into the Levante box, but his low effort is blocked by El Adoua. Is there something in this for Levante late on?
GOAL! Levante 0-2 Bilbao (Aduriz)
Bilbao wrap up all the points in the final minute as Aduriz collects a pass from Susaeta before lifting one over the onrushing Marino. Super, super finish from Aduriz and the points are secure here!
SUB! Bilnbao make their final change as Etxeita replaces Iraola.
We are into the final minute of additional time here.
CHANCE! Bilbao come close to a third as Susaeta collects a loose ball inside the box before attempting to squeeze one into the bottom corner, but Marino makes a smart save.
FULL-TIME: Levante 0-2 Bilbao
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close, with Bilbao running out 2-0 winners courtesy of a double from Aduriz. It is more misery for Levante, who remain bottom of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action here. Good afternoon from Valencia.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
