The 20th-round La Liga match between Real Madrid and Levante UD will take place on 17 january at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Real Madrid vs Levante UD: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid parted ways with head coach Xabi Alonso after losing to Barcelona in the Supercopa final. The departure of the Spanish coach was unexpected, as the home side had been recovering from a difficult period. Before the El Clásico the home side put together a run of five wins in all competitions, including three consecutive league victories. After the first half of the season the home side sits second in the table, four points behind leaders Barcelona. It should be noted that the home side is among the most reliable clubs in La Liga, having conceded 17 goals since the start of the season — the best record alongside Villarreal and Atletico Madrid. Nevertheless, the home side is now led by Álvaro Arbeloa, who was promoted to the first team from the reserves.
- Real Madrid have scored 41 goals in the current league campaign, only Barcelona (53) have more.
- The club's strong home run in La Liga spans 17 matches (15 wins, 2 losses).
- At least two goals have been scored in seven of the team's matches in this competition.
Potential Real Madrid Lineup (4-4-2)*
Thibaut Courtois – Raul Asensio, Antonio Rüdiger, Federico Valverde, Álvaro Carreras – Rodrigo, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham – Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo García.
Braim Díaz is unavailable due to participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. Defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ferland Mendy and Éder Militão, as well as forwards Kylian Mbappé and Rodrigo, will miss the match through injury.
Levante UD
Levante UD have also recently appointed a new head coach, and under Luís Castro the away side avoided defeat in their first two La Liga matches, taking four points from a possible six. After an unexpected thumping of Sevilla the away side held a solid Espanyol to a 1:1 draw, with Espanyol sitting in the top five. Overall the visitors are unbeaten in three league matches (1 win, 2 draws), the club's best run since returning to La Liga. Nevertheless, Levante UD remain in the relegation zone, four points from the safe 17th place, although the visiting team still have a game in hand.
- Levante UD have won with a handicap (+1.5) in 6 of their last 8 away La Liga matches.
- The club has conceded 30 goals in the current competition, a worse record only for two teams.
- At least two goals were scored in Levante UD's previous five league matches.
Potential Levante UD Lineup (4-5-1)*
Mathew Ryan – Jeremy Toljan, Adri, Matias Moreno, Diego Pampin – Iker Losada, Kervin Arriaga, Carlos Álvarez Rivera, Karim Tunde, Pablo Martinez – Ivan Romero.
Defender Unai Elgezabal and midfielder Victor Garcia are unavailable due to injury. The participation of midfielders Kervin Arriaga and Karim Tunde in the match is in doubt.
Referee
Miguel Sesma Espinosa (Spain)
Matches – 9 (La Liga, 2025/26);
Yellow/Red Cards Shown (Including Second Yellows) – 23;
Average Yellow/Red Cards Per Match – 2.6;
Red Cards Shown – 0;
Fouls Per Match – 27;
Penalties – 11%.
Real Madrid vs Levante UD: Match Prediction
Real Madrid have changed head coach rather unexpectedly. Álvaro Arbeloa will lead the team in a La Liga match for the first time, and at a moment like this it is important to avoid an unnecessary slip-up. Especially given that the home side are clear favorites. There is little reason for concern, however. Before Xabi Alonso left, the club had overcome its slump and recorded three consecutive league wins. At home Real Madrid have suffered only one setback in nine league matches this season. The only slight worry is defensive mistakes, which have led the home side to concede in five of their last seven La Liga games.
Levante UD have already played two matches under their new coach and Luís Castro remains unbeaten so far. Overall the team are unbeaten in three consecutive La Liga matches (1 win, 2 draws), but that run did not include opponents of Real Madrid's calibre. In the last 12 meetings at Real Madrid's ground the visiting team managed to take points on only three occasions. It should be noted that in four of Levante UD's last five away matches against Real Madrid they managed to score.
Prediction: Real Madrid To Win And Both Teams To Score
* For each team the starting lineup shown is from their last match in this tournament.
