The January chill is settling over Valencia as Levante and Elche prepare for a crucial LaLiga clash. Set for January 23, 2026, at 21:00 under the lights of Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, this match carries heavy weight for both teams. Levante, struggling in 19th place with just 14 points, faces the pressure of relegation. They’re desperate to turn their season around against Elche, who sit comfortably in 8th place with 24 points, aiming for a strong finish in the top half of the table.
Levante’s recent form paints a picture of inconsistency. In their last five games, they’ve had a mixed bag of L, D, W, D, L. Recently, they faced a tough 0-2 defeat at home to Real Madrid, a formidable team indeed. Elche, on the other hand, show a pattern of D, L, D, L, W, with their latest being a spirited 2-2 draw at home against Sevilla. After both teams secured promotion from the Segunda Division last season, they now find themselves at different ends in LaLiga standings. With Levante fighting for survival and Elche eyeing a European spot, every point matters.
For Levante, scoring depends heavily on Karl Etta Eyong, their top scorer with six league goals this season. Meanwhile, Elche misses Rafa Mir, their leading scorer, due to injury, forcing a change in tactics. Managers Luís Castro of Levante and Eder Sarabia of Elche both need results, adding more drama to this tie. Previous encounters have been close, with Elche winning the most recent clash 2-0. Levante’s defense, having leaked six goals in their last five matches, faces a real challenge against Elche’s attack, which has scored nine in the same stretch.
Levante vs Elche Prediction & Betting tip
Levante has a chance to secure a vital win, driven by the need for points and the comfort of playing at home. Despite their ups and downs, they’ve shown resilience, like in their recent Copa del Rey match and a crucial win against Sevilla earlier. Meanwhile, Elche’s away form has been shaky, and injuries might hamper their performance. Expect a close match, likely decided by Levante’s desire and familiarity with their home turf.
| Recommended Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Levante to win | 2.68 |
Levante vs Elche Odds
This LaLiga fixture promises a showdown with enticing odds.
- Levante stands at 2.68 to win, which hints at a possible upset on home soil.
- Odds for a draw or an Elche win aren’t available, highlighting the focus on Levante’s surge.
- These odds reflect Levante’s need for points and a slight edge playing at home despite their lower standing.
- Expect a low-scoring game, considering Levante’s tally of five goals in their last five matches and Elche’s tendency to concede, as shown by their eight given up.
- The betting markets might also offer odds for under 2.5 goals, given both defenses’ current weaknesses.
- Though Elche shines at home, their away struggles could tip the scales in Levante’s favor.
| Bet Type | Odds |
|---|---|
| Levante to win | 2.68 |
Home team Team Analysis
Home team Recent Performance
Levante’s recent performances have been a mix of ups and downs. Their last five games tell this story, with only one win to show.
| Date | Fixture | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-17 | Real Madrid vs Levante | 2-0 L | LaLiga |
| 2026-01-10 | Levante vs Espanyol | 1-1 D | LaLiga |
| 2026-01-03 | Sevilla vs Levante | 0-3 W | LaLiga |
| 2025-12-27 | Levante vs Real Sociedad | 1-1 D | LaLiga |
| 2025-12-21 | Cultural Leonesa vs Levante | 1-0 L | Copa del Rey |
- With just one win in their last five games, Levante is in a tough spot.
- The draws against Espanyol and Real Sociedad show some resilience, yet they struggle to clinch victories.
- A recent 0-2 loss to Real Madrid at home, along with a 3-0 win against Sevilla, highlights their potential, especially away.
- Their exit from the Copa del Rey against Cultural Leonesa revealed their issues, especially against less formidable teams.
- Scoring five and conceding six in these five games exposes their defensive problems.
- Relying on their only clean sheet so far, discipline issues have arisen during this packed match schedule.
Home team Key Players
Levante’s journey depends heavily on key players in their squad.
- Karl Etta Eyong is their main goal threat, having scored six in the league — critical to their attack.
- Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, seasoned with plenty of experience, is vital in bringing stability to a wavering defense.
- Unai Vencedor keeps things intact in central midfield, assisting both defense and attack.
- Pablo Martínez is their creative spark in midfield, while Carlos Álvarez helps break down defenses.
- Kareem Tunde, versatile in midfield, provides defensive cover and aids in transitions.
- Fast winger Iván Romero can stretch Elche’s defense by adding width.
- Full-backs Jeremy Toljan and Manu Sanchez need to maintain defensive solidity while supporting attacks.
- The central partnership between Adrián de la Fuente and Alan Matturro will face a stern test against Elche.
Home team Suspensions & Injuries
Levante faces several challenges due to injuries affecting crucial squad members.
| Player | Injury Type | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Unai Elgezabal | Meniscus injury | Mid February 2026 |
| Roger Brugué | Ligament injury | Early April 2026 |
| Víctor García | Physical discomfort | Doubtful |
| Diego Pampin | Leg injury | Early February 2026 |
| Matias Moreno | Physical discomfort | Doubtful |
- Five key players are out, limiting defensive and strategic flexibility.
- Unai Elgezabal’s knee injury keeps him out till mid-February, a big loss for the defense.
- Roger Brugué’s ligament troubles extend his absence into April, a vital period away.
- Diego Pampin could return by early February, offering potential defense fortification.
- Doubts about Víctor García and Matias Moreno add to manager Castro’s tactical headaches.
- Young players might have to fill in, given the injury situation.
- Midfield rotations become questionably thin if first-choice players like Martínez or Álvarez face injuries.
Home team Tactics and Formation
Levante is likely to go with a 4-5-1 strategy to reinforce midfield power.
- Coach Luís Castro prefers a tight midfield to counter opposition threats.
- Full-backs Jeremy Toljan and Manu Sanchez are tasked to back offensive plays while staying vigilant defensively.
- Adrián de la Fuente and Alan Matturro hold down the center, ready for aerial duels.
- Unai Vencedor directs traffic in midfield, safeguarding the defense and starting attacks.
- Pablo Martínez and Carlos Álvarez share creative duties and playmaking responsibilities.
- Wingers Kareem Tunde and Iván Romero need to press high and track back to defend.
- Karl Etta Eyong leads the attack, linking up well with midfield movements.
- Set-pieces could be useful for central defenders with aerial abilities to boost their attack.
- Their plan revolves around a tight defense, luring opponents in before launching counter-attacks.
Away team Team Analysis
Away team Recent Performance
Elche’s recent performances flash potential, yet inconsistency, especially on the road, remains an issue.
| Date | Fixture | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-18 | Elche vs Sevilla | 2-2 D | LaLiga |
| 2026-01-11 | Real Betis vs Elche | 2-1 L | Copa del Rey |
| 2026-01-04 | Valencia vs Elche | 1-1 D | LaLiga |
| 2025-12-28 | Elche vs Villarreal | 1-3 L | LaLiga |
| 2025-12-22 | Elche vs Rayo Vallecano | 4-0 W | LaLiga |
- Elche stays unbeaten in home league games but has shaky away results.
- Their 2-2 draw with Sevilla showed their attacking power and resolve.
- A 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano flashed their potential when in form.
- A Copa del Rey exit to Betis suggests a focus on league priorities, perhaps rotating the squad more.
- They’ve conceded eight goals in the last five games, revealing defensive cracks.
- Only one clean sheet highlights their struggle to maintain defensive organization.
- Three recent draws show difficulty in sealing tight matches.
Away team Key Players
The stakes for Elche rely on key players holding their ground.
- Keeper Iñaki Peña is crucial as the last defensive stand, delivering key saves in tight games.
- Víctor Chust leads the defense, noted for his organization and leadership on the field.
- He’s partnered with David Affengruber, who’s a force in the air both defensively and offensively.
- Martim Neto is central to midfield, deftly managing possession even under pressure.
- Marc Aguado, a box-to-box midfielder, covers vast areas with energetic performances.
- Playmaker Aleix Febas is pivotal, driving transitions and pushing Elche forward.
- Grady Diangana is important for attacking from the wing, focusing on penetrating wide areas.
- Álvaro Rodríguez, quick and direct, aims to exploit spaces behind defenders.
- With Rafa Mir’s injury, as their top scorer, his absence demands others to step up offensively.
Away team Suspensions & Injuries
Elche faces challenges with injuries affecting their tactical choices.
| Player | Injury Type | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Héctor Fort | Shoulder injury | Early February 2026 |
| Rafa Mir | Muscle injury | Early February 2026 |
| John Donald | Hamstring injury | Early February 2026 |
| Pedro Bigas | Ligament injury | Unknown |
- Key goal scorer Rafa Mir is missing due to muscle issues, with early February set as a possible return date.
- Both John Donald and Héctor Fort, dealing with injuries, aim to return after the break.
- Pedro Bigas’ ligament injury leaves his timeline uncertain for the defense.
- Manager Sarabia might use a five-defender structure to cushion against missing players.
- More responsibilities fall on Diangana for offensive creativity amidst thin options.
- While the midfield remains usable, any additional injuries could test their depth significantly.
- Managing these fringes requires tactical ingenuity amid squad limitations.
Away team Tactics and Formation
Eder Sarabia’s vision of a 5-3-2 formation prioritizes practicality.
- The defense is anchored by Víctor Chust, David Affengruber, and Leo Petrot, ensuring solidity.
- Wing-backs like Josan and Germán Valera are crucial, linking defense with attack fluidly.
- Martim Neto, Marc Aguado, and Aleix Febas rule the roost in midfield, orchestrating play and driving transitions.
- Upfront, Grady Diangana and Álvaro Rodríguez aim to break forward, stepping into Mir’s role.
- A restrained approach, focusing on counter-pressure and taking opportunities, is likely.
- The emphasis on defense underpins their ambitions with a focus on robust pressing after losing the ball.
- Set-pieces could be a significant part of their attack, tapping into the defensive unit’s aerial strength.
Levante vs Elche Head-to-Head Statistics
Fixtures between Levante and Elche are usually competitive, reflected in recent results.
| Date | Fixture | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-29 | Elche vs Levante | 2-0 Elche | LaLiga |
| 2025-05-10 | Levante vs Elche | 3-1 Levante | LaLiga2 |
| 2024-11-16 | Elche vs Levante | 1-1 Draw | LaLiga2 |
| 2024-03-24 | Levante vs Elche | 3-2 Levante | LaLiga2 |
| 2023-09-30 | Elche vs Levante | 0-0 Draw | LaLiga2 |
- Elche triumphed 2-0 in their last top-tier match.
- Levante snagged two wins in the past five meetings, both during their time in the Segunda Division.
- Three of these five ended with both teams scoring, showcasing offensive efforts on both ends.
- The thrillers, marked 3-2 or 3-1, highlight the potential for goals in these meetings.
- Away games historically trend towards draws, seen in outcomes like 1-1 and 0-0.
- Recent outcomes suggest a close fight, with Levante rallying behind home support, aiming to improve their record against Elche.
Venue and Weather
The Estadio Ciudad de Valencia is set to host this captivating encounter, with a capacity for nearly 26,000 passionate fans. Since it opened in 1969, this stadium has been the site of thrilling LaLiga contests, offering Levante a familiar and supportive environment under the city’s night sky.
The weather on matchday expects gentle temperatures around 14.7°C, with light rain forecasts for the evening starting at 21:00. These moist conditions might speed up ground play but could also lead to slip-ups. The wind, clocking around 10 m/s, might slightly affect long-ball plays and high-air duels, requiring tactical shifts. The game-time weather is generally good, allowing for quick transition play, favoring teams comfortable with such tactics without extremes of cold or scorching heat impacting stamina or playing speed.
