As the La Liga season enters its final stretch, every match carries significant weight—especially for teams fighting to secure their status in Spain's top flight. This Friday, Levante welcome Osasuna to the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia for Round 35, a clash that pits a side desperate to escape the relegation zone against a mid-table team looking to finish the season on a high note.
Levante currently sit in 19th place with 33 points, making this a must-win fixture if they hope to climb out of the drop zone. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with a heavy 5-1 defeat to Villarreal in their last outing highlighting the defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued them all season. However, there are glimmers of hope for Luís Castro's men: at home, they are on an impressive run of five consecutive matches without a loss, including three straight wins. They've also scored in each of their last five home games, suggesting that the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia has been a fortress of sorts.
Osasuna, meanwhile, arrive in 10th place with 42 points—a comfortable position that allows them to play with less pressure. Alessio Lisci's side suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat to Barcelona last time out, but their overall campaign has been respectable. That said, their away form tells a different story: they are winless in their last five road matches and have conceded in four consecutive away games. With just one victory in their last six trips, Osasuna will need to find a way to break that trend if they want to take points from Valencia.
Historically, these two sides are no strangers to each other. In 35 previous meetings, Osasuna hold the upper hand with 18 wins to Levante's 13. However, when playing at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, the dynamic shifts: Levante have won nine of the 17 encounters, compared to Osasuna's six. In La Liga specifically, the record is more balanced, with Osasuna winning 11, Levante seven, and three draws. The most recent clash ended in a 2-0 victory for Osasuna, adding a layer of revenge motivation for the home side.
Key trends to watch: Levante have suffered only two defeats in their last nine matches overall, but they are currently on a two-game winless streak. Osasuna, on the other hand, have conceded in five consecutive matches across all competitions, signaling a potential opportunity for Levante's attack to capitalize. For Osasuna manager Alessio Lisci, this match also carries personal significance—he has faced Levante five times before, recording two wins, two draws, and one loss.
Expected lineups suggest both teams will field strong sides. Levante are likely to start with Mathew Ryan in goal, protected by a backline of Jeremy Toljan, Matías Moreno, Alan Matturro, and Diego Pampín. In midfield, Kervin Arriaga, Carlos Álvarez, and Pablo Martínez will look to control the tempo, while Iván Romero and Carlos Espí lead the attack. For Osasuna, Sergio Herrera should start between the posts, with Valentin Rosier, Flavien Boyomo, Alejandro Catena, and Javi Galán forming the defense. Lucas Torró and Jon Moncayola will anchor the midfield, supporting attackers Rubén García, Moi Gómez, Raúl Moro, and Ante Budimir.
Prediction: With Levante's strong home form and Osasuna's struggles on the road, this has the makings of a tightly contested match. Levante's need for points could give them the edge, but Osasuna's quality should not be underestimated. Expect a low-scoring affair, with Levante potentially sneaking a narrow victory to keep their survival hopes alive.