Levante vs Osasuna: La Liga Showdown in Relegation Battle

On 8 May 2026, Estadio Ciudad de Valencia stages a high‑stakes La Liga clash as 19th‑placed Levante host 10th‑placed Osasuna in Round 35 of the regular season. The table tells its own story: Levante are stuck in the relegation zone on 33 points with a goal difference of -17, while Osasuna sit comfortably in mid‑table on 42 points, not yet safe mathematically but largely clear of danger.

For Levante, every remaining home game now feels like a must‑win survival mission. Osasuna, by contrast, travel with the freedom of a side whose primary job is almost done, but whose away record hints at vulnerability that the hosts must ruthlessly exploit.

Context and form

Across all phases, Levante have 8 wins, 9 draws and 17 defeats from 34 league matches, scoring 38 and conceding 55. At home they have been marginally better: 5 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses from 17, with 21 goals scored and 26 conceded. That still reflects a fragile side, but Ciudad de Valencia has at least provided a platform for some of their brighter moments.

Their recent league form in the standings reads “LDWWL”, suggesting a late flicker of life. The broader season form string, however, is chaotic and heavily loss‑laden, underlining why they are where they are. Defensive issues are obvious: 1.6 goals conceded per game across all phases, with just 8 clean sheets in 34 matches.

Osasuna’s season has been defined by solidity at home and struggle on the road. They are 10th with 11 wins, 9 draws and 14 defeats, scoring 40 and conceding 42. At El Sadar they have been excellent (9‑5‑3, 29‑20), but away from home the record is stark: 2 wins, 4 draws and 11 defeats, with only 11 goals scored and 22 conceded. Their away average of 0.6 goals for per game is among the weakest attacking returns in the division.

Their form line in the standings (“LWLDD”) hints at inconsistency and a slight tail‑off. Yet their overall defensive numbers remain decent: 42 conceded in 34, and 7 clean sheets across all phases. Osasuna are hard to batter, even if they are not always hard to beat away.

Tactical outlook: Levante

Levante have largely alternated between back‑four systems. The 4‑2‑3‑1 (11 games) and 4‑4‑2 (10 games) have been the dominant blueprints, with occasional use of 4‑1‑4‑1 and even a more cautious 5‑4‑1 in tougher fixtures. At home, where they need wins, a 4‑2‑3‑1 or 4‑4‑2 feels most likely.

Their biggest home win of the season, 4‑2, and the fact their highest home goals‑for in a match is 4, suggest they can open up when the attacking pieces click. The trade‑off has been exposure at the back: they have conceded 26 at home (1.5 per game) and suffered a 1‑4 home defeat at their worst.

The key attacking figure is 20‑year‑old forward Carlos Espí. With 9 league goals in just 996 minutes (21 appearances, 9 starts), he is punching at a rate of roughly a goal every 110 minutes. His shot profile (32 total, 19 on target) and a respectable 6.86 rating highlight a young striker who is efficient and dangerous when given service. He also offers mobility and duelling presence (159 duels, 75 won), important in a team that often has to fight for territory.

Levante’s penalty record is perfect at team level this season (2 taken, 2 scored), but Espí has not been involved from the spot (0 scored, 0 missed). Any narrative of clinical finishing must therefore focus on open play rather than penalties.

The defensive side is a concern. With 55 goals conceded and only 8 clean sheets, Levante have repeatedly been undone, especially in transition. Card data shows they often collect yellows late in games, hinting at fatigue and desperation in closing stages – a risk in a match where game management will be crucial.

Tactical outlook: Osasuna

Osasuna have been tactically flexible but with a clear default. The 4‑2‑3‑1 has been their go‑to shape (19 times), supported by several three‑at‑the‑back variants (3‑4‑3, 3‑4‑2‑1, 3‑5‑2, 3‑1‑4‑2) and occasional 4‑4‑2 and 5‑4‑1. Away from home, this often translates into a compact mid‑block with an emphasis on defensive organisation and set‑pieces.

Their attack is built around one man: Ante Budimir. The Croatian has 16 league goals in 33 appearances (31 starts), with 76 shots and 36 on target. He is a classic focal point: strong in duels (339 contested, 161 won), effective at drawing fouls (33) and a constant penalty‑box presence. His 6.89 rating reflects consistent influence even when Osasuna’s overall attacking output is modest.

From the spot, Budimir has scored 6 penalties but also missed 2 this season. He is a high‑volume, high‑impact taker rather than flawless; Levante cannot simply assume that any penalty conceded will automatically be converted, though they would be wise not to test that theory.

Osasuna’s away numbers tell us they are cautious travellers. They have failed to score in 11 of 17 away matches, a remarkable figure that underlines their bluntness on the road. Yet they rarely collapse defensively: 22 conceded away (1.3 per game) and only one heavy away defeat listed (3‑1). Expect a compact back line, double pivot protection and a focus on getting crosses and set‑pieces into Budimir.

Card data shows Osasuna also pick up many yellows late in games, and they have multiple red cards spread across time ranges, reinforcing the picture of an aggressive, combative side that sometimes oversteps the line.

Team news and selection puzzles

Levante’s survival bid is complicated by a long absentee list. C. Alvarez (injury), K. Arriaga (suspension for yellow cards), A. Primo (shoulder injury) and I. Romero (muscle injury) are all ruled out. On top of that, Dela, U. Elgezabal and K. Tunde are all listed as questionable with various muscle and knee problems.

This cluster of issues could hit both their defensive stability and midfield balance, pushing the coach towards a more makeshift XI and perhaps reinforcing the case for a simpler 4‑4‑2 with clear roles.

Osasuna are in a better position but not untouched. V. Munoz is out with a muscle injury, while A. Oroz is questionable. Losing Munoz trims depth, and Oroz’s uncertainty may limit creative rotation options behind Budimir, increasing the reliance on the Croatian striker and wide supply.

Head‑to‑head narrative

The last five competitive meetings between these sides, all in La Liga, paint a picture of Osasuna dominance:

• Osasuna 2‑0 Levante (December 2025, La Liga)
• Osasuna 3‑1 Levante (March 2022, La Liga)
• Levante 0‑0 Osasuna (December 2021, La Liga)
• Levante 0‑1 Osasuna (February 2021, La Liga)
• Osasuna 1‑3 Levante (September 2020, La Liga)

Across these five, Osasuna have 3 wins, Levante have 1, and there has been 1 draw. Levante’s sole victory came away at El Sadar in 2020; at Ciudad de Valencia in this run they have drawn once and lost once, scoring just once in two home games against this opponent.

Recent history, then, offers Osasuna psychological edge, particularly given their 2‑0 home win earlier in the 2025 season.

The verdict

This fixture sets up a classic clash of needs and profiles. Levante, desperate and depleted, must chase three points at home. Their attacking spearhead Carlos Espí has the numbers to trouble Osasuna, and the hosts’ record of 21 goals in 17 home games suggests they will create chances.

Osasuna, though, arrive with the stronger overall season, a more reliable defensive structure and the division’s in‑form target man in Ante Budimir. Their dire away scoring record is the major caveat; they often struggle to impose themselves on the road and have failed to score in the majority of their away matches.

On balance, expect Levante to show urgency and spells of pressure, but Osasuna’s organisation and Budimir’s presence give them a strong platform. A tight, low‑margin contest feels likely, with a draw or narrow Osasuna win the most logical outcomes based on the data, and Levante’s relegation fight hanging even heavier in the air if they cannot turn pressure into points.