Levante vs Osasuna: Tense La Liga Clash in May 2026

Estadio Ciudad de Valencia stages a tense La Liga clash in early May 2026 as relegation‑threatened Levante host mid‑table Osasuna. With the season in its decisive stretch – this is Round 35 – the stakes are very different for the two sides: Levante sit 19th on 33 points, deep in the relegation zone, while Osasuna arrive in 10th on 42 points, still chasing a top‑half finish and mathematical safety.

Context and stakes

In the league, Levante’s situation is precarious. Across all phases they have 8 wins, 9 draws and 17 defeats from 34 matches, with a goal difference of -17 (38 scored, 55 conceded). Their recent form line of “LDWWL” hints at some fight – two wins in the last five – but also a lack of consistency that has kept them in trouble.

Osasuna, by contrast, are in relative comfort in mid‑table. Across all phases they have 11 wins, 9 draws and 14 defeats, with a goal difference of -2 (40 for, 42 against). Their form “LWLDD” underlines a team that has become harder to beat but still drops points regularly, especially away from home.

For Levante, every point is now precious. A home fixture against a side with one of the weakest away records in the division is as close to “must‑win” as it gets. For Osasuna, three points would all but seal a calm run‑in and keep them in the conversation for a top‑eight push if others falter.

Tactical outlook: Levante’s need for front‑foot football

Across all phases, Levante’s season profile is clear: they concede too many (1.6 goals per game) and score just enough to be competitive (1.1 per game). At home, they have been slightly better: 5 wins, 5 draws and 7 defeats from 17, scoring 21 and conceding 26. That’s still fragile, but it does show they can turn Ciudad de Valencia into a difficult venue when the balance is right.

Tactically, Levante have leaned most often on a 4‑2‑3‑1 (11 games) and 4‑4‑2 (10 games), occasionally shifting to 4‑1‑4‑1 or even a back five when protecting leads. The numbers suggest that when they sit too deep, they get punished: 55 goals conceded and a longest losing streak of five underline that they struggle to absorb pressure for long spells.

The key attacking reference is 20‑year‑old forward Carlos Espí. With 9 league goals in just 996 minutes, he has been remarkably efficient: that’s a goal roughly every 110 minutes, backed by 32 shots (19 on target) and a solid duel output (159 duels, 75 won). His profile is that of a mobile penalty‑box striker who can attack crosses and threaten in transition. Levante’s best route to survival likely runs through giving him service early and often.

Set‑piece threat and second‑line runs will also be vital, especially with several midfielders and defenders missing or doubtful. Levante have managed 8 clean sheets across all phases, but have also failed to score 12 times – a sign that when their attacking structure breaks, they offer very little. At this stage of the season, they may be forced to accept defensive risk in order to get the goals they need.

Discipline is another undercurrent. Levante’s yellow‑card distribution spikes late in games (19.23% between 76–90 minutes), and they have seen red three times. Chasing a result, they must avoid the kind of late, frustrated challenges that can turn a difficult evening into a disastrous one.

Osasuna’s contrast: strong at home, brittle away

Osasuna’s league position is built on fortress El Sadar. In the league, they are excellent at home (9 wins, 5 draws, 3 defeats, 29–20 on goals) but drastically weaker away: just 2 wins, 4 draws and 11 defeats from 17, with only 11 goals scored and 22 conceded. That away record is a major leveller for Levante’s survival hopes.

Jagoba Arrasate’s side (or his successor, structurally speaking) has largely favoured a 4‑2‑3‑1 (19 matches), with tactical flexibility into various back‑three shapes (3‑4‑3, 3‑4‑2‑1, 3‑5‑2) depending on opponent and game state. Away from home, that often translates into a compact mid‑block, looking to spring counters rather than dominate the ball.

The focal point is Ante Budimir, one of La Liga’s standout strikers in 2025. With 16 league goals in 33 appearances, he is Osasuna’s primary scoring outlet. He is heavily involved physically – 339 duels, 161 won – and gets a high volume of shots (76 total, 36 on target). He offers a constant aerial and penalty‑box threat, especially on crosses and set plays.

From the spot, Osasuna as a team have been perfect this season (6 penalties, 6 scored), but Budimir himself has a more mixed record: 6 scored and 2 missed. He is still a reliable taker, yet not infallible, which matters in tight, high‑pressure away fixtures like this one.

Osasuna’s biggest issue on their travels has been a lack of attacking punch: just 0.6 goals per game away, and they have failed to score in 11 league matches overall. That bluntness is why they rarely put games to bed and why a Levante side desperate for points can believe they will get chances.

Team news and selection puzzles

Levante are hit hard by absences. Confirmed out are:

• C. Alvarez (injury)
• K. Arriaga (suspension – yellow cards)
• A. Primo (shoulder injury)
• I. Romero (muscle injury)

On top of that, three more are questionable: Dela (muscle injury), U. Elgezabal (knee injury) and K. Tunde (muscle injury). This cluster of injuries and a suspension across the spine of the team will likely force changes in defence and midfield, potentially weakening Levante’s ability to control transitions and protect their back line.

Osasuna’s list is shorter but still relevant: V. Munoz is ruled out with a muscle injury, while A. Oroz is questionable. The absence of Munoz trims some depth, but the core of their first XI – including Budimir – appears intact.

Given Levante’s problems at centre‑back and in central midfield, a more conservative shape such as 4‑1‑4‑1 or even a 5‑4‑1 could be used to protect the central corridor, with Espí left to run channels and attack crosses. However, with the table situation, they may not be able to afford an overly reactive approach for long.

Head‑to‑head: Osasuna’s recent edge

The last five competitive meetings between these sides, all in La Liga, tilt clearly towards Osasuna:

• 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)

Over these five matches, the record is:

• Osasuna wins: 3
• Levante wins: 1
• Draws: 1

Notably, at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, Levante’s recent home record against Osasuna is poor: one draw (0-0) and one defeat (0-1) in their last two. That history, combined with Osasuna’s psychological edge from the 2-0 win in Pamplona in December 2025, gives the visitors confidence even with their away struggles.

The verdict

On paper, this is a clash between one of La Liga’s weakest defences and one of its least potent away attacks. Levante’s urgency, home advantage and the emergence of Carlos Espí suggest they can trouble Osasuna, particularly if they start on the front foot and use width and crosses to test a defence that concedes 1.3 goals per game on the road.

Osasuna, though, carry the game’s outstanding individual in Ante Budimir and a clear recent superiority in the head‑to‑head. Even with their away issues, they are more stable across all phases, concede fewer goals overall and have more tactical options to manage different game states.

Levante’s injury list and disciplinary fragility tilt the balance slightly towards the visitors avoiding defeat. A tight, nervy contest feels likely, with Levante forced to take risks as the match wears on. The data points towards a low‑scoring game decided by fine margins – and if one moment falls Osasuna’s way, Budimir is the most likely man to punish any lapse.