Match Information
Match Overview
This Matchday 27 clash at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia represents a crucial encounter for both teams as La Liga enters its decisive phase. Levante, currently languishing in 19th position with just 21 points from 26 matches, desperately need points to climb out of the relegation zone. Their opponents Girona sit in 14th with 30 points, offering a buffer above the drop but still seeking to secure their top-flight status with mathematical certainty.
The injury situation significantly impacts both squads' tactical preparations. Levante will be without several key players including Carlos Álvarez, who featured in their recent lineup, forcing manager Luis Castro to reshuffle his midfield options. The absence of Pablo Martínez and the knee injury to R. Brugué further limits Castro's attacking alternatives. Meanwhile, Michel's Girona face their own personnel concerns with Christian Stuani, their experienced striker, sidelined with a muscle injury. The questionable status of Bryan Gil, who started their last match, could force tactical adjustments in their attacking third.
Recent form presents contrasting narratives. Levante showed signs of life with a 2-0 victory over Alavés in their last outing, breaking a worrying sequence of defeats. However, their overall campaign reveals defensive fragility, having conceded 44 goals in 26 matches. Girona's form has been inconsistent but more stable, though their 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities when facing direct, physical approaches.
The head-to-head record heavily favors recent encounters, with Levante's stunning 4-0 victory at Girona earlier this season providing a psychological edge. However, with both teams' seasons hanging in the balance, this fixture promises tension and tactical intrigue as survival instincts take precedence.
Predicted Lineups
Levante
M. Ryan; J. Toljan, Dela, M. Moreno, M. Sanchez; U. Raghouber; K. Tunde, J. A. Olasagasti, P. Cortes, Oriol Rey; I. Romero
Girona
P. Gazzaniga; H. Rincon, Vitor Reis, D. Blind, A. Martinez; F. Beltran, A. Witsel; V. Tsygankov, T. Lemar, C. Echeverri; V. Vanat
Team Form Analysis
Levante
Levante Form Analysis
Levante's recent trajectory shows the classic signs of a relegation-threatened side experiencing dramatic swings between hope and despair. Their last five matches tell a story of resilience punctuated by devastating setbacks. The 2-0 victory over Alavés provided a crucial morale boost, demonstrating their ability to deliver when pressure mounts highest. However, this positive result followed a series of concerning defeats, including heavy losses to Barcelona (3-0) and Valencia (2-0).
Defensively, Levante remain alarmingly porous, having conceded 44 goals in 26 league matches. Their defensive record at home offers little comfort, with the Ciudad de Valencia becoming increasingly difficult to defend. The attacking output has been inconsistent but occasionally promising, managing 28 goals this season despite their struggles. Ivan Romero has emerged as their most reliable goal threat, while the absence of key creative players through injury has limited their ability to generate consistent chances.
The quality of recent opponents highlights the scale of their challenge, facing top-tier opposition like Real Madrid and Barcelona while needing to maximize points against similarly-positioned rivals. Their form against relegation competitors will ultimately determine their fate, making every fixture a potential season-defining encounter.
Girona
Girona Form Analysis
Girona's campaign reflects the challenges of a mid-table team lacking clear direction in either direction. Their recent form shows a team capable of both impressive displays and frustrating collapses, epitomized by their contrasting performances against quality opposition. The 2-1 home victory over Barcelona demonstrated their potential when everything clicks, showcasing the tactical flexibility that brought them European recognition in previous seasons.
However, inconsistency remains their defining characteristic. The 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo exposed familiar defensive vulnerabilities, particularly when facing direct, physical approaches. Their away form has been notably problematic, collecting just 14 points from 13 road matches, a statistic that will concern Michel ahead of this Valencia trip.
Attacking output has declined compared to their European qualification campaign, managing just 27 goals in 26 matches. The absence of Christian Stuani removes their most experienced finishing option, while Viktor Tsygankov's creativity from wide positions remains crucial to their build-up play. Defensively, they've conceded 42 goals, indicating systemic issues that opponents consistently exploit.
Their recent encounters against teams in similar positions suggest a squad that raises its game against superior opposition but sometimes struggles to impose itself against desperate, relegation-threatened sides who match their intensity and commitment.
Head-to-Head
Levante
Girona
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-20 | Girona | 0 - 4 | Levante |
| 2019-05-12 | Girona | 1 - 2 | Levante |
| 2019-01-04 | Levante | 2 - 2 | Girona |
| 2018-03-31 | Girona | 1 - 1 | Levante |
| 2017-11-05 | Levante | 1 - 2 | Girona |
| 2017-05-13 | Levante | 2 - 1 | Girona |
| 2016-12-04 | Girona | 2 - 1 | Levante |
Memorable Matches
The most recent encounter between these sides produced one of the season's most surprising results when Levante demolished Girona 4-0 at Montilivi in September 2025. This comprehensive victory represented everything going right for the Valencia-based side in a season otherwise filled with disappointment. The margin of victory shocked observers, considering Girona's generally solid home record and Levante's struggles throughout the campaign.
Historically, matches between these teams have often produced entertaining encounters with goals and drama. Their 2019 La Liga meeting ended 2-1 in Levante's favor, while their 2016-17 Segunda División encounters were crucial in both teams' promotion pushes. The 2-2 draw in January 2019 exemplified the competitive balance between the sides, with both teams creating numerous chances in an open, attacking contest.
Their Segunda División rivalry during the 2016-17 season added extra spice to encounters, with promotion stakes elevating the intensity. Girona's 2-1 victory at Montilivi that season proved crucial in their successful promotion campaign, while Levante's response in the return fixture demonstrated the competitive nature of this fixture across different divisions and circumstances.
Venue Factor
Estadio Ciudad de Valencia has become an increasingly challenging venue for Levante this season, failing to provide the traditional home advantage that relegation-threatened teams desperately need. With just 13 points from 13 home matches, their fortress has become more of a burden than a benefit. The intimate 25,000-capacity stadium typically generates passionate support, but recent poor results have dampened the atmosphere that once intimidated visiting teams.
Girona's traveling record offers little encouragement for their supporters making the journey to Valencia. Their collection of just 14 points from 13 away fixtures represents one of La Liga's worst road records, suggesting they struggle to adapt their game plan away from the familiar surroundings of Montilivi. The team's inability to replicate home form on the road has been a consistent theme throughout Michel's tenure.
However, the pressure-cooker atmosphere that often develops at relegation-threatened venues can work both ways. While home crowds can inspire desperate late rallies, they can also transmit anxiety and tension to their own players when results don't materialize quickly. Given both teams' current form and league positions, the Valencia venue may favor whichever side can best handle the psychological pressure of a potentially season-defining encounter.
Injury Concerns
Levante
Girona
