Battle for survival: La Liga match prediction Levante vs Mallorca
On Sunday, May 17, 2026, a crucial showdown in the fight for La Liga survival will take place as Levante hosts Mallorca in the 37th round of the Spanish top flight. The clash is set for Valencia's "Ciutat de Valencia" stadium and will kick off at 19:00 Central European Time. With just two rounds left in the season, both teams are locked on identical points, making this encounter decisive in the battle to avoid relegation.
Levante’s current form: The Frogs are riding the wave
Valencia’s side has launched a powerful late surge that’s given them a real shot at survival. In their recent fixtures, Levante edged out Osasuna 3-2 at home, and then pulled off a wild away thriller against Celta, winning 3-2 thanks to goals from Arriaga, de la Fuente, and Brugué.
The team is on an emotional high. Carlos Espí and Etta Eyong look ready to leave it all on the pitch in front of their home fans. The main downside for "the Frogs" is their defense (59 goals conceded, the worst among all relegation battlers). They play open, sometimes reckless football, which could either save them or spell disaster.
Mallorca: Island pragmatism on the brink
The islanders, by contrast, have hit the brakes at the business end of the season—just one win in their last five matches. Martín Demichelis’s side is banking on the physical presence and poacher’s instinct of Vedat Muriqi. The Kosovar is having a stellar season (21 goals in all competitions) and is Mallorca’s main attacking hope.
Mallorca traditionally struggles on the road, aiming to kill the game’s tempo and squeeze the most out of set pieces or Mojica’s wing crosses onto Muriqi’s head.
Head-to-head history:
The clubs have faced off 46 times in official matches. Overall, Mallorca holds the edge (17 wins for Mallorca, 13 for Levante, and 16 draws), but if you narrow it down to Levante’s home games, the picture changes dramatically.
- Levante’s home field factor: At the “Ciutat de Valencia,” there have been 23 meetings. Levante has won 9 times, Mallorca has taken all three points just 5 times, and 9 matches ended in a draw.
- Historical drought for the visitors: Mallorca hasn’t beaten Levante away in 20 years—the last time the “Pirates” claimed victory in Valencia was back in October 2006. Since then, Levante is unbeaten in seven straight home games against this opponent.
- First round match: In round 10 of this season (October 26, 2025), the match in Mallorca ended 1-1. Levante’s Etta Eyong opened the scoring in the first half, and the hosts equalized through Pablo Maffeo in the 78th minute.
Probable lineups
- Levante: Ryan - Toljan, Adri, Moreno, Sánchez - Arriaga, Ander Olasagasti, Martínez - García, Brugué, Espí
- Mallorca: Román - Maffeo, Valjent, López, Mojica - Torre, Morlanes, Costa, Darder - Muriqi, Luvumbo
Prediction
Levante, buoyed by their home crowd, will try to dominate possession, but their build-up play will run into Mallorca’s rock-solid defensive wall. The visitors will look to break up the tempo with tactical fouls (especially with holding midfielder Samu Costa back from suspension). Even if someone snatches a goal, the game is unlikely to open up—instead, the scoring team will drop all eleven men behind the ball to protect the slim lead. Expect a gritty midfield battle with few clear chances. My prediction: under 3 goals.
