Real Madrid vs Levante preview, prediction, team news, and head-to-head

With the departure of Xabi Alonso and their recent double losses, Los Blancos will want nothing short of a win in this fixture, while Levante will only hope for a miracle to get a point from this match.

Real Madrid enter this match in the middle of a mid-season crisis. Despite sitting second in La Liga with 45 points from 19 games, the mood in the capital is tense. The club recently parted ways with Xabi Alonso following a 3-2 Supercopa de España final loss to Barcelona.

Interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa started his tenure in disappointing fashion, losing 3-2 to Segunda División side Albacete in the Copa del Rey. Still, their league record at the Bernabéu remains strong, with Real winning their last three matches.

Levante, on the other hand, are on a three-game unbeaten streak even though it has done little to savage their current predicament.  Luís Castro’s men sit 19th on the table with just 14 points and are in the relegation zone.

While heavily being the underdogs coming into this fixture, they will look to exploit Real Madrid’s defensive absences and the pressure weighing on the hosts.

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Real Madrid have a strong record against Levante, winning 27 of the 37 previous meetings between the two sides. Still, Levante has occasionally caused upsets at the Bernabeu, claiming two surprise wins in their last four visits, including a 2-1 victory in early 2021.

Real Madrid are dealing with a crowded injury list ahead of this match. Eder Militão remains sidelined with a serious hamstring problem, and Trent Alexander-Arnold is out with a thigh injury until February. Antonio Rudiger is a major doubt after picking up a knee injury in the Supercopa loss against Barcelona, while Ferland Mendy is also sidelined with a calf issue.

On the brighter side, key attackers Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham are expected to return to the starting lineup after being rested in the Copa del Rey. Brahim Diaz will miss the game due to international duty at AFCON.

Levante are likely to stick with the same side that drew with Espanyol. Mathew Ryan is expected in goal, while the creative pair of Carlos Álvarez and Iker Losada will supply striker Iván Romero, who has been in fine form.

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius

Levante (4-2-3-1): Ryan; Toljan, De la Fuente, Moreno, Pampin; Martinez, Arriaga; Eyong, Alvarez, Losada; Romero

Even with the managerial shake-up and a long list of defensive injuries, Real Madrid’s attack looks set to overwhelm the struggling visitors. Álvaro Arbeloa will be looking for a strong response after the Copa del Rey disaster.

You can bet on Livescorebet for Real Madrid to have the edge at the end of the match, with both sides likely to find the back of the net.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Levante

• Bet on Real Madrid to win

• Over 2.5 goals

• Kylian Mbappe to score.