Villarreal vs Levante: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | 20 September 2026

Villarreal finally have a league win to build on, but Levante arrive with enough transition threat to stop this becoming routine. The form line matters, but the way each team manages the central spaces should be just as important.

Goal.mu prediction: Villarreal 2-1 Levante

Match details

• Fixture: Villarreal vs Levante
• Competition: La Liga
• Date: Sunday, September 20
• Venue: Estadio de la Ceramica

Why the Malaga win could reset Villarreal’s season

Villarreal will be aiming to build on their first victory of the 2026-27 La Liga campaign when they welcome Levante to Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday night.

How Villarreal Can Establish Control

Villarreal need Akhomach, Saliba, Gueye to receive on angles that move Levante rather than simply recycle possession. If the midfield can turn and play forward, Buchanan, Moleiro, Perez can stay closer to the penalty area and attack defenders who are still adjusting their body position.

Levante are more competitive than the table suggests

The hosts are 14th in the La Liga table , picking up five points from their opening six matches, while Levante are 15th, collecting five points from five games.

How Levante Can Escape Pressure

Levante need the first pass after a regain to be purposeful. Garcia, Sotelo, Bardeli can release Brugue, Romero, Ratkov early when the channel is open, but they also need the discipline to keep the ball when the forward line is isolated. That choice can determine whether the visitors build a real attack or face another wave.

There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a disappointing start to the campaign for Villarreal, with the Yellow Submarine, who finished third in Spain's top flight last season, only managing to win one of their opening seven matches.

The historical edge still belongs to Villarreal

That success came last time out, with Inigo Perez 's team entering this contest off the back of a much-needed 3-1 success over Malaga.

The Defensive Connection Behind the Ball

The likely home unit of Freeman, Navarro, Veiga, Cardona must stay connected to midfield whenever Villarreal attack with numbers. If the space opens in front of the centre-backs, Levante can receive facing goal and turn one recovery into a dangerous transition.

In La Liga, Villarreal have a record of one win, two draws and three defeats, with five points leaving them down in 14th spot in the division.

Team news and selection impact

Perez's side had been on a four-game losing run in all competitions before triumphing last time out, and they will now be hoping the result against Malaga can be a springboard.

Villarreal will again be without the services of Juan Foyth due to an Achilles injury, while Santi Comesana is expected to miss out with the issue that forced him off in the latter stages of the first period against Malaga.

Pape Gueye scored twice off the bench against Malaga and is now expected to be introduced into the starting side for this match.

Villarreal could otherwise be unchanged, having finally managed to put three points on the board, with Alberto Moleiro potentially again featuring through the middle.

As for Levante, Karl Etta Eyong will again miss out due to a thigh problem, while Alejandro Primo continues to be sidelined due to a shoulder injury.

Ivan Romero scored off the bench against Barcelona and is set to return to the starting side.

Meanwhile, there should be a return to the midfield for Enzo Bardeli.

Gulacsi; Freeman, Navarro, Veiga, Cardona; Akhomach, Saliba, Gueye, Buchanan; Moleiro, Perez

Predicted lineups

Villarreal have won 23 of their previous 36 matches against Levante in all competitions, only suffering nine defeats in the process.

Villarreal predicted XI: Gulacsi; Freeman, Navarro, Veiga, Cardona; Akhomach, Saliba, Gueye, Buchanan; Moleiro, Perez.

Levante predicted XI: Ryan; Toljan, Dela, Mandi, Sanchez; Garcia, Sotelo, Bardeli, Brugue; Romero, Ratkov.

Gueye and Moleiro against Levante’s midfield block

Levante have lost six of their last seven league games against Villarreal, but they did record a 2-0 win over the Yellow Submarine in April 2022.

How Toljan, Dela, Mandi, Sanchez Can Survive the Second Phase

The projected visiting defence of Toljan, Dela, Mandi, Sanchez must think beyond the first duel. Clearing a cross or direct pass is only half the job. Levante also need to control the loose ball and prevent Villarreal from recycling possession into a cleaner second attack.

The visitors will enter this match off the back of a 4-2 defeat to Barcelona, but they have picked up five points from their last four games in Spain's top flight.

Where Levante can hurt Villarreal

The Frogs have a record of one win, two draws and two defeats from their five league matches this season, with five points leaving them in 15th spot in the table.

The Goalkeeper Detail

Gulacsi and Ryan can shape territory through distribution as much as through saves. A calm pass can remove the first presser and change the angle of the build-up. A rushed clearance can return possession before the defensive block has moved higher.

Luis Castro 's side had been due to take on Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday evening, but the match was called off at the final moment due to a waterlogged pitch.

The first goal and the confidence swing

Levante finished 16th in Spain's top flight last season, so there is clear room for improvement during the 2026-27 campaign.

Why the Weak Side Matters

The far side may create the cleanest chance in Villarreal vs Levante. When the ball travels across the pitch, defenders naturally shift towards possession. A late runner arriving behind that movement can attack the space that was unavailable at the start of the move.

How Villarreal Can Improve Box Entries

Villarreal should judge attacking quality by how often they enter the box against a moving defence rather than by raw shot volume. Buchanan, Moleiro, Perez need complementary movements: one run in behind, one option to feet and one late arrival. If all three occupy the same line, Levante can defend the space far more comfortably.

How Levante Can Make Transitions Count

Levante do not need constant possession to create danger. Brugue, Romero, Ratkov can change the match with one well-supported break, especially if the first pass after a regain escapes pressure. The key is to avoid leaving the ball-carrier isolated as the move crosses halfway.

The Set-Piece Route in Villarreal vs Levante

Set pieces offer a separate path to goal if open play becomes crowded. The initial delivery matters, but the second phase can be more dangerous. Players around the edge of the area need to react to partial clearances instead of watching the first aerial duel.

Why Territory Matters More Than Possession

Possession alone may not explain control in Villarreal vs Levante. The more useful question is where attacks begin and where the ball is recovered. A side with less of the ball can still dominate territory if its regains happen close to the opposition goal.

The Substitution Question

The best late change may not be another striker. If progression is the problem, an extra midfielder can improve access to the final third. If width is missing, a fresh wide player can change the geometry without removing the protection behind the ball.

Closing Match Reading

If Villarreal vs Levante remains close after 70 minutes, decision-making should become more important than formation. One rushed pass, delayed recovery run or poorly defended second ball could create the decisive chance. The calmer side should have the stronger finish.

Final Match-Specific Check: Villarreal vs Levante

Villarreal need to keep their midfield connected to the defensive line whenever they attack with numbers. Levante can remain dangerous if the first pass after a regain reaches space before the home side reset. If the score remains close, that balance should matter more than raw possession.

How Villarreal Can Control the First Build-Up

Villarreal need their first possession phase to create an advantage rather than simply accumulate passes. With Akhomach, Saliba, Gueye expected to handle much of the central work, the key is to tempt Levante towards the ball and then find the spare player behind that pressure.

If the hosts can break the first line cleanly, Buchanan, Moleiro, Perez can remain higher and attack defenders who are still turning. In Villarreal vs Levante, the same phase has a different consequence because Villarreal and Levante reach it from contrasting structures.

How Levante Can Turn Regains Into Real Attacks

Levante should judge transition moments by support as much as by speed. When Garcia, Sotelo, Bardeli regain possession, the first forward pass only makes sense if Brugue, Romero, Ratkov have a teammate close enough to continue the move.

In Villarreal vs Levante, the same phase has a different consequence because Villarreal and Levante reach it from contrasting structures.

The Goalkeeper Decision Before the Save

Gulacsi and Ryan can influence Villarreal vs Levante long before either is asked to make a difficult stop. In Villarreal vs Levante, the same phase has a different consequence because Villarreal and Levante reach it from contrasting structures.

How Freeman, Navarro, Veiga, Cardona Must Protect the Centre

The likely home defensive unit of Freeman, Navarro, Veiga, Cardona cannot become detached from midfield when Villarreal commit extra players forward. If the central gap opens, Levante can receive facing goal and force the back line to retreat.

That is why rest defence matters. Within Villarreal vs Levante, the importance of this moment comes from the spacing and personnel surrounding the ball.

How Toljan, Dela, Mandi, Sanchez Can Survive Second-Phase Pressure

The projected visiting defence of Toljan, Dela, Mandi, Sanchez need to think beyond the first cross or first duel. Within Villarreal vs Levante, the importance of this moment comes from the spacing and personnel surrounding the ball.

Within Villarreal vs Levante, the importance of this moment comes from the spacing and personnel surrounding the ball. Otherwise one clearance simply restarts the attack.

Why the Wide Areas Matter in Villarreal vs Levante

Within Villarreal vs Levante, the importance of this moment comes from the spacing and personnel surrounding the ball. Villarreal can create overloads by combining a wide attacker with an advancing full-back, but every overlap creates a recovery responsibility behind it.

Levante face the same trade-off when they attack. Within Villarreal vs Levante, the importance of this moment comes from the spacing and personnel surrounding the ball.

The Importance of Second Balls

Even if both teams prefer to build with shorter passes, Villarreal vs Levante will contain direct phases. Within Villarreal vs Levante, the importance of this moment comes from the spacing and personnel surrounding the ball. Within Villarreal vs Levante, the importance of this moment comes from the spacing and personnel surrounding the ball.

If Villarreal recover those loose balls consistently, they can keep Levante pinned near their own box. Within Villarreal vs Levante, the importance of this moment comes from the spacing and personnel surrounding the ball.

How the First Goal Changes the Shape

In Villarreal vs Levante, the same phase has a different consequence because Villarreal and Levante reach it from contrasting structures. In Villarreal vs Levante, the same phase has a different consequence because Villarreal and Levante reach it from contrasting structures.

The Closing Twenty Minutes

The final phase of Villarreal vs Levante may look very different from the first hour. Fatigue stretches the distances between units and makes recovery runs harder.

Fresh substitutes can then attack spaces that were closed earlier. The side that keeps enough protection behind the ball while still chasing the result should have the stronger late-game platform.

Potential Match-Winners

Individual quality still matters when the tactical balance is even. One dribble, disguised pass or perfectly timed run can create the decisive opening.

For Villarreal, much of that responsibility may fall on the players around Buchanan, Moleiro, Perez. For Levante, Brugue, Romero, Ratkov can be decisive if the visitors get chances to attack an unsettled defence.

Prediction

• Full-time result: Villarreal to win
• Double chance: Villarreal or Draw
• Both teams to score: Yes
• Goals: Over 2.5 goals
• Correct score: Villarreal 2-1 Levante

The score call follows the football evidence available in this fixture: form, likely personnel, venue, defensive trends and the tactical routes open to both sides. Goal.mu's prediction is Villarreal 2-1 Levante.