Real Madrid vs Levante prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups - 17 January 2026
One of the standout fixtures of La Liga's Matchday 20 will take place on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, where the home side Real Madrid hosts Levante. I'm backing a bet on goals in this clash, with solid odds for success.
- See also: Borussia Dortmund vs St. Pauli prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups - 17 January 2026
Match preview
The appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa following Xabi Alonso's dismissal has so far raised more questions than answers. The young, inexperienced coach has struggled to handle the pressure—being knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Albacete was a blow not only to the club’s image but also to the squad’s morale. The fans are unhappy, the team is under fire from critics, and this match against Levante is a true test of their psychological resilience.
Real’s squad is notably weakened ahead of the clash: Mbappé remains sidelined, the central defensive pairing is questionable, and Vinícius Júnior is enduring a significant slump in form. Even the home supporters may not provide the needed boost—ultras have announced plans to whistle at the team. Nevertheless, the squad’s quality still gives Real the edge, especially at home against an unpredictable opponent.
Levante, meanwhile, has found new life under their new manager, picking up four points from two matches—a breath of fresh air for the club. Luis Castro has injected passion and a bit more structure, even if luck played its part—both Sevilla and Espanyol created plenty of chances against the Frogs. The return of Etta Eyong from the Africa Cup of Nations will add much-needed sharpness up front, while Arriaga is fit for the match.
Set pieces and overall defensive play remain Levante's Achilles’ heel—the team has already conceded eight goals from dead balls, and Real is among the league’s top two for set-piece goals. Still, given Real’s turbulence, this trip to Madrid is a golden opportunity to snatch points. But Levante will have to play it safe and avoid an open game.
Probable lineups
- Real Madrid: Courtois, Carreras, Heysen, Asensio, Carvajal, Tchouaméni, Bellingham, Valverde, Júnior, Rodrygo, García
- Levante: Ryan, Toljan, Adrian de la Fuente, Agustín Moreno, Pampín, Arriaga, Martínez, Yong, Álvarez, Losada, Romero
Match facts and head-to-head
- Both teams have scored in seven of the last ten encounters between Real and Levante.
- Real have failed to win the second half in four of their last six matches.
- Levante have conceded the most goals from set pieces in La Liga, while Real are among the top two for set-piece goals scored.
Prediction
Real Madrid are in crisis—a new manager, pressure from the stands, dropped points, and lost trust. But even with all these issues, their individual quality should be enough to get the job done against a struggling side. Levante are more organized now, but still lag behind most of the league in terms of quality. If Real take their chances, they should secure all three points, even if it proves to be a hard-fought victory.
