Levante vs Mallorca: High-Stakes La Liga Relegation Battle

Estadio Ciudad de Valencia stages one of the tensest fixtures of the La Liga season on 17 May 2026, as 19th‑placed Levante host 18th‑placed Mallorca in Round 37. Both sides are locked on 39 points, both currently in the relegation places, and both know that survival hopes hinge on what happens over these final two matchdays. This is not just a game between two struggling teams; it is effectively a six‑pointer that could define their immediate futures.

Context and stakes

In the league, Levante sit 19th with 39 points and a goal difference of -15 (44 scored, 59 conceded). Mallorca are just one place above them in 18th, also on 39 points but with a slightly better goal difference of -11 (44 scored, 55 conceded). Both are currently in the “Relegation - LaLiga2” zone, so any edge – head‑to‑head, goal difference, or form – could prove decisive.

Levante’s recent league form reads “WWLDW”, suggesting a late surge that has at least kept them alive. Mallorca’s “LDWLD” tells a different story: inconsistency and missed opportunities, especially damaging given how poor their away record has been.

Form and statistical profile

Across all phases this season, Levante have been fragile but competitive. They have 10 wins, 9 draws and 17 defeats from 36 matches. At home, their record (6 wins, 5 draws, 7 defeats) is modest but not disastrous: 24 goals scored and 28 conceded at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia. They average 1.3 goals for and 1.6 against per home game, underlining that their home fixtures tend to be open and defensively shaky.

Mallorca mirror Levante in overall record – 10 wins, 9 draws, 17 losses – but the split between home and away is stark. At Son Moix they are robust (8 wins, 6 draws, 4 defeats, 28-21 goals), yet away from home they collapse: just 2 wins, 3 draws and 13 defeats, with 16 goals scored and 34 conceded. They average only 0.9 goals for and 1.9 against on their travels, one of the weakest away profiles in the division.

Clean sheets further highlight the contrast. Levante have 8 clean sheets across all phases (4 at home, 4 away), while Mallorca have only 5 (3 at home, 2 away). Both sides fail to score too often for comfort – Levante in 12 matches, Mallorca in 8 – but the away fragility of Mallorca suggests Levante will fancy their chances of breaking through.

Tactical tendencies and shapes

Levante’s season-long use of multiple systems hints at a side still searching for its best structure. Their most common formation is 4‑2‑3‑1 (11 times), followed by 4‑4‑2 (10), then 4‑1‑4‑1 (8). They have also experimented with back fives (5‑4‑1) and more conservative 4‑5‑1 setups. That flexibility can be an asset in a high‑stakes match, allowing them to adapt to Mallorca’s approach, but it also hints at instability.

With 44 goals scored and an average of 1.2 goals per game across all phases, Levante are not blunt going forward. However, 59 conceded (1.6 per match) and a “biggest loss” of 1‑4 at home and 5‑1 away underline how vulnerable they can be when games open up. Their best home win, 4‑2, shows they can be dangerous in transition and in more chaotic contests.

Mallorca, by contrast, are more structurally consistent. Their default shape is also a 4‑2‑3‑1 (20 matches), with occasional shifts to 4‑3‑1‑2 (7) or 5‑3‑2 (4) when they want more protection. The away numbers – 16 scored, 34 conceded – suggest that even with a double pivot, they struggle to control games outside Palma. Their “biggest away win” is 1‑3, but they have also suffered 3‑0 defeats on the road, illustrating how quickly their plan can unravel.

Discipline could be a hidden factor. Both teams accumulate a high number of yellow cards, especially in the 46‑60 and 76‑90 minute ranges, indicating aggressive, high‑tension second halves. Each has also seen red cards across different time windows, so game management and emotional control will be crucial in such a high‑pressure context.

From the spot, Levante have scored 2 penalties from 2 across all phases, while Mallorca have converted 5 from 5. However, at player level, Vedat Muriqi has scored 5 penalties but missed 2, so while he is a frequent taker and a major threat, his record is not flawless.

Key players

The standout individual in this fixture is Mallorca’s centre‑forward Vedat Muriqi. He is one of La Liga’s top scorers this season: 22 goals and 1 assist in 35 appearances, with a strong average rating of 7.09. He has taken 86 shots (47 on target), underlining his centrality to Mallorca’s attack. Physically imposing at 194 cm and strong in duels (425 contested, 219 won), he offers a constant aerial and hold‑up outlet.

Muriqi has also won 1 penalty and drawn 61 fouls, which can tilt games in Mallorca’s favour in tight encounters. His presence will test a Levante defence that concedes 1.6 goals per game and has previously been exposed by direct play and set‑pieces.

Levante’s data set does not list individual scorers, but their goal spread – 44 goals across 36 games, with their biggest wins featuring four goals – implies a more collective threat. In a 4‑2‑3‑1, the central attacking midfielder and wide players will be critical in attacking Mallorca’s vulnerable full‑back zones and second balls around Muriqi when Mallorca transition.

Team news and absences

Both squads come into this match depleted, which could significantly shape tactical choices.

For Levante, C. Alvarez, U. Elgezabal, and A. Primo are all ruled out through injury, while U. Vencedor is unavailable due to a coach’s decision. The absence of Elgezabal and Vencedor in particular may limit Levante’s options in central defence and midfield, potentially pushing them towards a more cautious shape or forcing less experienced players into high‑pressure roles.

Mallorca are hit even harder. L. Bergstrom, M. Joseph, J. Kalumba, M. Kumbulla, A. Raillo, and J. Salas are all unavailable due to various injuries, while O. Mascarell is suspended for yellow cards. Losing Raillo and Kumbulla weakens the heart of their defence, and Mascarell’s absence in midfield strips out an important screening presence in front of the back line. That combination is particularly worrying for an away side already conceding 1.9 goals per game on the road.

The net effect is that Levante’s attacking players will likely find more space between the lines and around Mallorca’s centre‑backs, especially if Mallorca are forced to reshuffle their usual 4‑2‑3‑1 structure.

Head‑to‑head history

Looking only at competitive meetings (excluding friendlies), the recent head‑to‑head is finely balanced with a slight edge to Mallorca.

• On 26 October 2025 in La Liga at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, Mallorca and Levante drew 1‑1.
• On 8 January 2022 in La Liga at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, Levante beat Mallorca 2‑0.
• On 2 October 2021 in La Liga at Iberostar Estadi, Mallorca beat Levante 1‑0.
• On 9 July 2020 in La Liga at Iberostar Estadi, Mallorca beat Levante 2‑0.

Over these last four competitive clashes, Mallorca have 2 wins, Levante 1, and there has been 1 draw. Levante’s home record in that sample is encouraging: one win (2‑0) and no home defeats.

The verdict

The data paints a picture of a knife‑edge relegation battle. Levante have the advantage of playing at home, better recent league form (“WWLDW”), and face a Mallorca side whose away numbers are among the worst in La Liga and who arrive with a heavily weakened defensive spine.

Mallorca, however, have the league’s in‑form striker in Vedat Muriqi and a slightly better overall defensive record across all phases (55 conceded versus Levante’s 59). If they can supply Muriqi and manage transitions, they remain capable of scoring even away from home.

Given Mallorca’s away fragility, their injury and suspension list, and Levante’s uptick in results, the balance of probabilities tilts slightly towards the hosts avoiding defeat. A tight, tense game with goals at both ends looks likely, but the underlying numbers and absences suggest Levante are marginally better placed to take a crucial result in their fight to stay in La Liga.