The Round 16 LaLiga match between Levante and Villarreal will take place on 14 December at the Ciudad de Valencia stadium. Levante v Villarreal: prediction and betting tips, odds, statistics.
Levante
The Valencian side remain mired in a prolonged crisis. A managerial change was made at the end of November, but Álvaro del Moral’s debut failed to lift the mood as Levante were beaten 2-0 away at Osasuna. That defeat was the club’s fifth consecutive loss in LaLiga, and in the last three matches they have failed to score. Their winless run in the league has reached seven matches (1 draw, 6 losses). Since returning to LaLiga, Levante have managed just two wins and nine points from 15 games, leaving them rock bottom of the table.
- They have conceded 28 goals in the league this season, a total exceeded only by Girona (29).
- At least two goals have been scored in 28 of Levante’s last 29 league matches.
- Both teams scored in 8 of Levante’s last 10 home LaLiga games.
Estimated Levante lineup (4-4-2)
Mathew Ryan – Jeremy Toljan, Alan Matturro, Jorge Cabello, Manu Sánchez – Carlos Álvarez Rivera, Unai Vencedor, Roger Brugué, Kervin Arriaga – Carl Etta-Eyong, Iván Romero.
Defenders Adri, Matías Moreno and Unai Elgezabal, plus striker Carlos Espi, are out through injury. Midfielder Pablo Martínez is doubtful.
Villarreal
Villarreal remain among the league leaders and justifiably occupy third place. They sit one point behind Real Madrid with a game in hand, meaning that on points dropped the Castellón side are effectively second in LaLiga. After 15 rounds they have 11 wins and only two defeats. Their last slip-up in the league came in mid-October, and since then Marcelino’s side have won six matches in a row. The team’s scoring run in the competition now extends to 11 games.
- Villarreal have conceded only 13 goals this season, the best defensive record in the league.
- They are unbeaten in 19 of their last 21 LaLiga matches (17 wins, 2 draws).
- The Castellón side have scored in five successive away league games.
Estimated Villarreal lineup (4-4-2)
Luis Júnior – Pau Navarro, Renato Veiga, Juan Foyth, Sergi Cardona – Tajon Buchanan, Dani Parejo, Santi Comesaña, Alberto Moleiro – Georgy Mikautadze, Ayoze Pérez.
Midfielder Pape Gueye has returned from suspension. Defenders Santiago Mourinho, Logan Costa and Willy Kambwala are sidelined with injuries, as are midfielders Dani Parejo and Thomas Partey, and forwards Gerard Moreno and Pau Cabanes.
Referee
Juan Martínez Munuera (Spain)
Matches – 6 (LaLiga, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 24;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 29;
Penalties – 33%.
Match prediction: Levante v Villarreal
Levante are still struggling to overcome a crisis that has left them bottom of the table. Since November they have suffered five consecutive LaLiga defeats, conceding at least two goals in four of those five losses. They have found life particularly difficult at home, picking up just one point from their last six league games on home soil while conceding 16 goals in those matches.
Villarreal have not dropped points in six consecutive LaLiga rounds, scoring at least twice in each of those fixtures. Away from home they have won four of their last five league matches, the only defeat coming at Real Madrid. The Castellón side have also won five of the last seven league meetings with Levante, failing to score at least twice in only two of those seven matches.
My prediction: Villarreal to win and Villarreal to score over 1.5 goals
* For each team, the listed starting XI corresponds to their previous match in this competition.