Key Facts
- Espanyol is in the midst of a deep crisis: 15 league games without a win and just two goals in their last five matches, which significantly diminishes the value of their home advantage.
- Javi Puado’s torn ACL is hitting Espanyol particularly hard on offense; their goal-scoring threat is significantly reduced.
- Levante travels with plenty of confidence (10 points from their last 5 league games, most recently a 2-0 win over Sevilla).
- Levante’s away struggles remain a risk: no away win since early January.
- Head-to-head matches tend to produce goals: in the last five H2H matches, there were at least two goals in each game and both teams scored—a scoreless match is unlikely.
- Contradictory statistics: Levante has stayed under 2.5 goals in four of their last five games, and Espanyol’s offense is weak—a low-scoring game overall, especially in the first half, is likely.
Manolo González spoke openly of a final after the 1-0 win in Vallecas, and it’s hard to disagree with him. Fifteen league games without a win are a crushing burden, and Monday night at the RCDE Stadium against Levante carries the weight of a pivotal match in the relegation battle. Levante arrives in a completely different mood, as Luís Castro’s team recently defeated Sevilla 2-0, highlighting just how differently the two teams are performing right now. Espanyol sits on 38 points, level with Rayo Vallecano and Girona, while Levante has 32 points and Sevilla lurks just two points behind. The last meeting in January 2026 ended 1-1, and although Espanyol historically has the better record, the mood surrounding this match has noticeably changed.
- Venue: RCDE Stadium, Cornella de Llobregat
- Date and time: April 27, 2026, 9:00 PM
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 32)
Even though the betting market lists Espanyol as a clear, though not overwhelming, favorite, caution might be the wiser approach. The 15 league games without a win, the absence of Javi Puado, and just two goals in five matches significantly weaken the case for a home win. Levante’s resurgence under Luís Castro points more toward an away win or a draw, while Iván Romero’s suspension and the pressure of the relegation battle suggest a scoreless first half and under 2.5 goals total.
Espanyol Form & Record Check
The latest setback in Vallecas perfectly encapsulated Espanyol’s problem. They held on to a 0-0 draw until halftime, but once again lacked conviction in the final third, and ultimately lost 1-0. This followed a 4-1 loss at Barcelona and reinforces the feeling that their performances can be competitive at times without generating enough pressure or goals. In their last five league games, Espanyol have picked up just one point and scored only twice, making the burden on the attack even heavier without Javi Puado. The problem isn’t just the results, but the lack of direction. A 0-0 draw at Betis showed that they can still defend with discipline, but the losses to Getafe and Mallorca made it clear how little room for maneuver remains once the games open up. Edu Expósito’s appeal to the fans says a lot about the current mood.
Espanyol is expected to line up in a 4-4-2 under Manolo González, though nothing has been confirmed yet. Marko Dmitrovic (13) should start behind a back four of Omar El Hilali (23), Fernando Calero (5), Leandro Cabrera (6), and Carlos Romero (22). The system relies on two compact lines, with Pol Lozano (10) and Edu Expósito (8) expected to control the midfield. Further up front, the likely pairing of Roberto Fernández (9) and Kike García (19) suggests a direct target man with runners around him, likely flanked by Tyrhys Dolan (24) and Pere Milla (11). The major absence is Javi Puado, who is sidelined with a torn cruciate ligament. This lineup therefore seems more like the most likely option rather than a nearly set formation.
Levante Form & Record Check
Following their 2-0 victory over Sevilla, Levante arrives in a completely different mood—a result that once again bore the hallmark of Luís Castro. With the injured Kareem Tunde and the suspended Iván Romero, who scored twice in that match, the attack has been slightly reshuffled, but the overall picture remains positive. This team plays with more conviction, presses effectively, and handles crucial moments significantly better than at the start of the season. The Valencians have picked up ten points from their last five league games, including a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano, but their away form remains a concern. Levante hasn’t won away since early January and lost 2-0 at Real Sociedad, while home wins against Getafe, Oviedo, and Sevilla have done most of the work. That makes them dangerous, but not entirely reliable when it comes to avoiding relegation on the road.
The prediction points to a 4-2-3-1 formation, though this has not been confirmed. Mathew Ryan – 13 would be in goal, with Jeremy Toljan – 22, Adrián Dela – 4, Matías Moreno – 2, and Manu Sánchez – 23 in front of him. Ugo Raghouber – 14 and Jon Ander Olasagasti – 8 are expected to anchor the midfield and organize Levante’s build-up play. If this lineup holds, Roger Brugué – 7 should provide width, while Pablo Martínez – 10 and Carlos Álvarez – 24 operate behind Carlos Espí – 19. The most significant personnel issue is the suspension of Iván Romero, who has reached the yellow card limit, and Kareem Tunde remains sidelined with a thigh strain.
Espanyol – Levante Head-to-Head & Statistics
The recent head-to-head record clearly favors Espanyol, which is unbeaten in the last five matches: three wins, two draws. The most recent meeting in January 2026 ended in a 1-1 draw in Valencia. Prior to that, Espanyol won in 2024 and 2023, the teams drew in 2022, and Espanyol prevailed in a turbulent 4-3 victory in 2021. Notably, these matches have rarely been lacking in action. All five games featured at least two goals, with both teams scoring in every match, and Espanyol finding the net at least once in the second half of all five encounters. This streak suggests the game is unlikely to be a completely goalless feel-out, though the pressure surrounding this match could make the opening stages significantly tighter than the overall record would suggest.
