Levante vs Atletico Madrid: prediction, head-to-head and probable line-ups – 31 January 2026
One of the matches of the 22nd round of the Spanish championship will take place on Saturday at the "Ciudad de Valencia" stadium in Valencia, where the local side Levante will host Atletico Madrid. I suggest betting on a cautious scenario with minimal scoring, where the visitors have the edge.
Match preview
The hosts remain in the relegation zone and are struggling to consistently pick up points. Their win over Elche in the previous round was a bright spark, but it doesn't change the overall trend – Levante can't string together a stable run to escape the danger zone. Home turf hasn't provided a significant advantage so far, and every defensive mistake comes at a steep price.
The team is suffering from personnel issues, especially at the back, where one of their key players – Unai Elchesabal – is absent. In these circumstances, Levante sticks to their familiar setup, conceding possession and relying on rapid counterattacks. This strategy can work, but it demands near-perfect discipline in every episode, especially against an opponent of Atletico's caliber.
The Madrid side are firmly entrenched in the upper part of the table, making up for a lack of flair with tactical balance and a steady accumulation of points. Atletico remain one of the most organized teams in La Liga: their ability to control the tempo and play pragmatically makes Simeone's squad especially dangerous against underdogs. They rarely lose focus in the league and consistently chase down the leaders.
Even after losing Griezmann, the team's structure is intact – there are attacking options, and the defense remains solid. The possible return of Lenglet would add even more flexibility at the back. Atletico's knack for playing "by the score" makes them favorites in these encounters: they know how to close down opponents and strike at the right moment, especially given the hosts' problems.
Probable line-ups
- Levante: Ryan, Matturro, Adrian de la Fuente, Sanchez, Toljan, Martinez, Raguber, Romero, Alvarez, Losada, Jong
- Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Pubill, Gimenez, Llorente, Gantzko, Barrios, Cardoso, Simeone, Baena, Sorloth, Alvarez
Match facts and head-to-head
- Five of the last seven head-to-head meetings featured no more than two goals
- Atletico have scored more than one goal in just three of their last nine away matches
- Levante have conceded no more than one goal in four of their last six matches
Prediction
Levante are fighting for survival and occasionally manage to snatch points, but instability and squad issues are preventing them from establishing a consistent game. The clash with Atletico will be a real test of their resilience, as the hosts must play with maximum caution to avoid collapse. Atletico, meanwhile, continue their confident march in the Champions League zone and know how to squeeze the most out of even the most pragmatic matches. Betting on minimalism and defensive discipline looks like the logical choice here.
