Levante vs Osasuna: La Liga Relegation Battle
Estadio Ciudad de Valencia stages a high‑stakes La Liga clash in the regular season round 35 as 19th‑placed Levante host mid‑table Osasuna on 8 May 2026. For the home side, this is all about survival: they sit on 33 points, in the relegation zone and running out of road. Osasuna, 10th with 42 points, are not chasing Europe but still have a top‑half finish and pride on the line.
With four games left, the table frames the narrative. In the league across all phases, Levante have 8 wins, 9 draws and 17 defeats from 34 matches, with a goal difference of -17 (38 scored, 55 conceded). Osasuna’s season has been steadier: 11 wins, 9 draws and 14 losses, with 40 goals for and 42 against, leaving them at -2. The gap is nine points; Levante need a surge, starting here.
Form and home/away dynamics
Levante’s league form line of “LDWWL” hints at volatility but also at recent resilience. Across all phases, their longer sequence is more alarming – long losing streaks punctuated by occasional wins – yet there is just enough life to believe in a late escape. At home, they have been marginally more competitive: 5 wins, 5 draws and 7 defeats from 17, scoring 21 and conceding 26. That averages 1.2 goals scored and 1.5 conceded per home game, suggesting matches at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia tend to be open but not chaotic.
Osasuna’s season has been defined by a stark home/away split. In Pamplona they are strong (9‑5‑3, 29‑20), but away from home they have struggled badly: only 2 wins, 4 draws and 11 defeats from 17, with just 11 goals scored and 22 conceded. That is 0.6 goals scored per away match, and they have failed to score in 11 of their 17 away league fixtures. Their form line “LWLDD” underlines inconsistency and a recent dip.
This contrast sets up a classic relegation‑threatened home side versus travel‑sick mid‑table visitor dynamic. Levante’s survival hopes hinge on turning their stadium into a fortress; Osasuna must overcome their away frailties to avoid being dragged into a nervy run‑in.
Tactical outlook: Levante
Levante have been tactically flexible, but with a clear backbone. Across all phases they have most often lined up in a 4‑2‑3‑1 (11 matches) and 4‑4‑2 (10), with occasional switches to 4‑1‑4‑1, 5‑4‑1 and 4‑3‑3. That range tells you they are still searching for the optimal balance between defensive solidity and attacking threat.
Defensively, 55 goals conceded in 34 matches (1.6 per game) is relegation‑zone form. Yet 8 clean sheets – split evenly between home and away – show they are capable of shutting teams down on their day. The issue is consistency and concentration: their yellow‑card distribution is heavy in the final quarter of matches (19.23% of yellows between 76‑90 minutes and another 16.67% in stoppage time), hinting at late‑game stress and fouls when legs tire.
In attack, 38 goals is modest but not disastrous for a team in 19th. The emergence of Carlos Espí has been a rare bright spot. The 20‑year‑old forward has 9 league goals from just 996 minutes, an excellent strike rate given only 9 starts and 21 appearances. He averages nearly a goal every two full games, with 19 shots on target from 32 attempts and a respectable 6.86 rating. His ability to find space and shoot efficiently gives Levante a focal point, whether he starts or comes off the bench.
Set pieces and penalties could be critical in a tight relegation battle, and Levante’s record from the spot is flawless at team level this season: 2 penalties taken, 2 scored, 0 missed. In a match where margins are fine, that reliability is an asset.
Injuries, however, complicate the picture. Levante are definitely without C. Alvarez (injury), K. Arriaga (suspension for yellow cards), A. Primo (shoulder injury) and I. Romero (muscle injury). On top of that, Dela, U. Elgezabal and K. Tunde are all doubtful with muscle and knee issues. That is a significant chunk of depth removed, especially in defensive and midfield rotations, and may force a more conservative selection – likely a 4‑2‑3‑1 with double pivot protection in front of a back four.
Tactical outlook: Osasuna
Osasuna’s tactical identity is clearer. Their most used shape is also a 4‑2‑3‑1 (19 matches), but they have shown a willingness to switch to back‑three systems – 3‑4‑3, 3‑4‑2‑1, 3‑5‑2 and 3‑1‑4‑2 all appear in their season data. That flexibility allows them to adapt to game state: more conservative away from home, more expansive at El Sadar.
Their away numbers are revealing. Only 11 goals scored in 17 away fixtures, with 11 games where they failed to find the net, point to a cautious, risk‑averse approach on the road. Yet they have still managed 2 away wins and 4 draws, often keeping matches tight: 22 conceded away (1.3 per game) is not disastrous.
The attack revolves around Ante Budimir. The Croatian striker is having a standout season: 16 league goals, ranking him among La Liga’s most productive forwards. He has started 31 of his 33 appearances, logging 2621 minutes, and is central to Osasuna’s game plan. Budimir has taken 76 shots, 36 on target, and remains a constant aerial and physical presence, winning 161 of 339 duels. His penalty record this season is mixed rather than immaculate: 6 scored but 2 missed, underlining that while he is a frequent taker and major threat, he is not infallible from the spot.
Behind him, Osasuna’s creativity is more diffuse, and their away struggles suggest they often fail to connect midfield to attack effectively outside Pamplona. Still, their overall defensive record (42 conceded in 34, 1.2 per game) is solid, and they have kept 7 clean sheets.
Discipline is a subplot. Osasuna’s yellow cards cluster late – 20.73% between 76‑90 minutes – and they have seen red on multiple occasions, particularly in the final quarter and stoppage time. In a hostile away environment against a desperate opponent, managing temperament will be vital.
In terms of availability, Osasuna will miss V. Munoz (muscle injury), while A. Oroz is listed as questionable. That is a lighter injury burden than Levante’s, giving the visitors more room to rotate and adjust.
Head‑to‑head picture
The last five competitive meetings between these sides, all in La Liga, show Osasuna with a clear edge:
- Osasuna vs Levante, December 2025: 2‑0
- Osasuna vs Levante, March 2022: 3‑1
- Levante vs Osasuna, December 2021: 0‑0
- Levante vs Osasuna, February 2021: 0‑1
- Osasuna vs Levante, September 2020: 1‑3
Across those five, Osasuna have 3 wins, Levante 1, with 1 draw. The most recent clash in December 2025 was a comfortable 2‑0 home victory for Osasuna, underlining the current gap between the sides. However, Levante’s last win in the series did come away at El Sadar (1‑3 in 2020), a reminder they are capable of unsettling the Pamplona club.
At Estadio Ciudad de Valencia specifically, the last three league meetings produced a win for Osasuna, a draw and no home victory for Levante. That modest home record adds psychological weight but also offers Levante a clear motivation to reset the narrative.
Key battles
- Carlos Espí vs Osasuna centre‑backs: Levante’s young striker’s movement and efficiency in front of goal will test a generally solid but occasionally stretched Osasuna back line, especially if the visitors use a back three and leave space in the channels.
- Ante Budimir vs Levante’s centre‑backs: The Croatian’s aerial power and penalty‑area instincts are Osasuna’s primary route to goal. Levante’s defenders must avoid cheap fouls in the box and manage crosses intelligently.
- Midfield control: With Levante missing several squad players, the double pivot shielding their defence must protect against transitions while still feeding Espí. Osasuna’s 4‑2‑3‑1 can overload central areas if Levante’s lines get stretched.
The verdict
The data points in different directions. On one side, Levante’s league position, defensive record and injury list paint a picture of a fragile team under immense pressure. On the other, Osasuna’s away record is among the poorest in the division, with a chronic lack of goals on their travels and a tendency to lose control late in matches.
Levante’s need is greater, and their home numbers – while far from impressive – are at least competitive. Osasuna bring the game’s outstanding individual in Ante Budimir and a better overall defensive structure, but their away bluntness cannot be ignored.
Expect a tense, low‑margin contest in Valencia. Levante are likely to approach it with aggression and urgency, while Osasuna may lean on structure and counter‑attacks. A narrow home win or a draw feels the most logical outcome, with set pieces and discipline – rather than flowing attacking play – likely to decide whether Levante’s survival bid gains crucial momentum or suffers another damaging blow.
