The Estadio Ciudad de Valencia is set to host a captivating La Liga clash on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, as newly-promoted Levante welcome the formidable Real Madrid. This encounter pits a team eager to solidify its top-flight status against a rampant Real Madrid side enjoying a perfect start to the 2025-26 season. Can Levante, buoyed by a recent emphatic victory and the passion of their home crowd, spring a surprise against the league leaders, or will Real Madrid continue their relentless march towards another title, aiming for a sixth consecutive league victory?
Head-to-Head: A Dominant History for Los Blancos
Historically, matches between Levante and Real Madrid have largely been dominated by the capital club. In 36 competitive meetings, Real Madrid boasts 26 wins, while Levante has secured 6 victories, with 4 matches ending in a draw. While Real Madrid has often capitalized on home advantage, Levante has, on occasion, proven to be a tricky opponent, even pulling off surprising 2-1 wins at the Santiago Bernabeu in October 2018 and January 2021.
The most recent encounters paint a varied picture:
- May 12, 2022: Real Madrid 6-0 Levante (La Liga)
- August 22, 2021: Levante 3-3 Real Madrid (La Liga)
- January 30, 2021: Real Madrid 1-2 Levante (La Liga)
- October 4, 2020: Levante 0-2 Real Madrid (La Liga)
- February 22, 2020: Levante 1-0 Real Madrid (La Liga)
Notable outcomes include Real Madrid’s commanding 6-0 victory in May 2022, where Vinicius Junior netted a hat-trick. However, Levante also managed to hold Real Madrid to a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia in August 2021, leading twice in the match. These fixtures tend to be high-scoring, with 86% of their past 22 meetings seeing over 1.5 goals and 68% exceeding 2.5 goals.
Current Form & Team News
Levante
Levante’s reintroduction to La Liga has been a mixed bag. After losing their opening three matches, Julián Calero’s squad has shown signs of recovery, securing four points from their last two outings. Their recent form stands at 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 losses in their last five league matches. This includes an impressive 4-0 thrashing of nine-man Girona and an entertaining 2-2 draw with Real Betis. They have scored 9 goals and conceded 9 goals in their first five La Liga matches, averaging 1.8 goals both for and against per game.
In terms of team news, new signing Alan Matturro remains doubtful due to a leg injury and has yet to make his debut. However, manager Julian Calero has reported no other fresh injury concerns, providing him with a largely full squad. Strikers Iván Romero and Karl Etta Eyong are both in good form, having netted three league goals each this term, and will be key attacking threats. Midfielder Jon Ander Olasagasti is also pushing for a recall after an impactful substitute appearance against Girona.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid arrives at this fixture in impeccable form, maintaining a perfect start to the 2025/26 La Liga season under new manager Xabi Alonso. Los Blancos have secured five consecutive league victories, scoring 10 goals and conceding just two in the process. Their flawless record includes a recent 2-0 home win against Espanyol, with goals from Eder Militao and Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid’s offense has been particularly potent, averaging 2 goals per match in La Liga.
However, Real Madrid’s squad faces some injury concerns. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out for six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury, while Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy are also expected to be sidelined for several weeks. In positive news, Dean Huijsen returns to the starting lineup after serving a one-match suspension. While Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga have returned from injury layoffs and made substitute appearances, they are unlikely to be risked from the start. Kylian Mbappé is the standout player in form, having scored 5 goals in La Liga and a total of 9 goals in 8 official matches across all competitions for club and country this season.
Tactical Preview
Levante
Levante, under Julian Calero, is likely to adopt a pragmatic and defensively organized approach, potentially utilizing a 4-2-3-1 formation to absorb Real Madrid’s pressure. Their strategy will hinge on quick transitions and exploiting counter-attacking opportunities, with set pieces also being a key component. Levante’s combative and high-contact style of football, as evidenced by their 12 yellow cards and 60 total fouls in five games, aims to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm. The home crowd at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia will be crucial in galvanizing their efforts.
Real Madrid
Under Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid is expected to deploy their familiar 4-3-3 formation, focusing on possession-based play, a high press to regain the ball quickly, and swift counterattacks. Their wingers, such as Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, will aim to stretch the play, creating space for central players like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham to exploit. The midfield battle will be vital, with Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouaméni tasked with dictating the tempo and controlling the center of the park. While the absence of Toni Kroos might impact their midfield control, Real Madrid’s tactical fluidity allows them to adapt. Their ability to transition seamlessly from defense to attack is a hallmark of their play.
External Factors
The match, scheduled for a 7:30 PM UTC kick-off (9:30 PM local time), will be played in typically warm Valencian September weather. Temperatures are expected to be pleasant, likely in the low to mid-20s Celsius, with no significant rainfall predicted. Both teams have had similar rest periods, having played league matches on September 20, so travel fatigue for Real Madrid (an away fixture) should be a minor, rather than decisive, factor.
