Friday night in Valencia promises high drama as Levante, sitting 19th in La Liga, host 14th-placed Alavés in a pivotal Matchday 26 showdown. Both teams are desperate for points, albeit for different reasons: Levante are fighting tooth and nail to escape the clutches of relegation, while Alavés look to cement their mid-table safety and avoid being dragged into the dogfight below.
Levante’s season has been a rollercoaster, with the club’s fortunes taking a sharp turn in December. The board made the bold decision to part ways with Julián Calero, the coach who had guided them to promotion, and handed the reins to former Nantes boss Luís Castro. The 45-year-old’s arrival sparked immediate optimism. Castro’s debut saw the Granotes claim a stunning 3-0 win away at Sevilla—their first victory of 2026 and a result that briefly lifted spirits in the dressing room and among the fanbase. That was followed by a dramatic 3-2 home win against fellow strugglers Elche later in January, marking their first home triumph of the campaign.
But just as it seemed Levante had turned a corner, February brought a brutal dose of reality. Four consecutive defeats have left the team reeling, including painful home losses to local rivals Valencia and Villarreal. The most recent setback—a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Barcelona at Camp Nou—underscored the team’s current fragility. There were glimmers of hope, with Carlos Álvarez missing a golden chance to put Levante ahead in the opening seconds, and midfielder Jon Ander Olasagasti squandering another opportunity later in the first half. Yet, time and again, Levante’s forwards have failed to deliver when it matters most, and confidence in front of goal seems to have evaporated.
Levante’s woes are compounded by a lengthy absentee list. Midfielder Kervin Arriaga is suspended, while injuries have sidelined Unai Elgezabal, Roger Brugué, and Pablo Martínez. To make matters worse, their top scorer, Karl Etta Eyong, hasn’t found the net in league play since October. That drought may force Castro to turn to Iván Romero, though the 24-year-old’s form has also tailed off after a promising start to the season.
Alavés, meanwhile, arrive in Valencia with a sense of cautious optimism. Under the stewardship of Chacho Coudet, the Basque side have adopted a pragmatic 4-4-2 formation, anchored by the strike partnership of Lucas Boyé and Toni Martínez. Coudet, who once favored expansive football at Celta Vigo, has shifted to a more direct, hard-nosed approach at Alavés. Martínez, in particular, has thrived as the target man, leading La Liga with an average of 4.5 aerial duels won per match. His physicality and knack for getting on the end of crosses have made him a constant threat, while Boyé’s recent form has been a major boost—he netted both goals in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Girona on Monday, February 24.
The Babazorros’ recent record makes for much more pleasant reading than their hosts’. Alavés have suffered just one defeat in their last five league outings, including back-to-back wins over Real Betis and Espanyol in late January. Their only notable slip came in a home defeat to fellow relegation battlers Getafe, but they bounced back with successive draws against other bottom-half sides. The resilience Coudet instilled has been evident, and the team’s defensive record—conceding just 1.28 goals per 90 minutes, tenth-best in the division—stands in stark contrast to Levante’s leaky backline.
Team selection will be crucial for both managers. Levante’s depleted squad may force Castro’s hand, especially given the lack of attacking output from his regular starters. The home side’s defensive frailties are no secret; they’ve managed just one clean sheet at the Estadio Ciutat de València all season and have the worst home record in La Liga, with only seven points collected in front of their own fans. Alavés, on the other hand, are almost at full strength, missing only defender Ville Koski, who has yet to debut following his January move from Croatia due to injury. Coudet may rotate lightly after Monday’s exertions, with Facundo Garcés and Jon Pacheco pushing for places in the back line, but the potent Boyé-Martínez duo is expected to spearhead the attack once again.
Statistically, the matchup is intriguing. Levante have scored 23 goals but conceded a staggering 44, while Alavés have netted 32 and allowed 20. When it comes to creating chances, Alavés again have the edge, registering 252 shots to Levante’s 213. The hosts have also allowed a whopping 375 shots against—worst in the league—compared to Alavés’ 274. These numbers paint a clear picture: Levante’s defense is porous, and Alavés have the firepower to exploit those weaknesses.
Individually, the spotlight will be on the strikers. For Levante, Etta Eyong leads the team with five goals from 20 appearances, supported by Iván Romero (four goals in 23 games) and Carlos Álvarez (three goals in 25 matches). Alavés boast Lucas Boyé, who has seven goals in 19 games, and Toni Martínez, with five in 24. Martínez’s recent hot streak—five goals in his last nine appearances—makes him a player to watch, especially as he averages 2.2 shots per game.
Bookmakers see little to separate the two sides, with Levante priced at 6/4 to win, Alavés at 9/5, and the draw at 21/10. However, betting tips are leaning toward Alavés in the Draw No Bet market at 10/11, reflecting their recent form and Levante’s struggles. Another popular punt is for Alavés to score over 0.5 goals, combined with at least one shot on target from Martínez—a bet that seems logical given Levante’s defensive woes and Martínez’s shooting prowess.
For Levante, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Sitting just one place off the bottom, they desperately need a win to keep their survival hopes alive. A point does little to help the cause, so expect Castro’s men to throw caution to the wind and chase all three points. Alavés, meanwhile, will look to stay compact, absorb pressure, and strike on the counter with their in-form forwards.
As the teams prepare to walk out under the Friday night lights, all eyes will be on whether Levante can halt their slide or if Alavés will pile on more misery. With both sides having everything to play for, fans can expect an open, high-stakes encounter that could shape the relegation battle in the weeks ahead. One thing’s for sure: the drama at the bottom of La Liga is far from over.