Regional rivals Villarreal and Levante will clash on Sunday in La Liga. The Yellow Submarine have made a slow start to the campaign, but this is a good opportunity to pick up three points at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

Defensive issues hampering Villarreal under Pérez

Villarreal have struggled at the back, with an injury to key centre-back Juan Foyth a contributing factor. Íñigo Pérez will have to cope without the Argentine once more this weekend.

The ex-Rayo Vallecano boss is already under a degree of pressure at his new club, but his approach is unlikely to change radically. He favours a 4-2-3-1 structure, with Gerard Moreno and Ayoze Pérez competing for the number 10 role.

Georges Mikautadze is the first-choice striker and main threat for the hosts. The Georgian international netted 13 goals and contributed six assists in 32 appearances in La Liga 2025/26, but is yet to score on home soil this season.

Villarreal predicted lineup vs Levante (4-2-3-1): Gulácsi; Freeman, Navarro, Veiga, Romero; Comesaña, Gueye; Pépé, Moreno, Buchanan; Mikautadze.

Levante fresh following midweek postponement

Torrential rain in Valencia forced the late postponement of Levante’s clash with Athletic Club on Wednesday. That means there is now less reason for Luís Castro to rotate his team, but some changes are still expected from the 4-2 defeat to Barcelona last weekend.

Iván Romero, Enzo Bardeli and Oriol Rey could all return, while Roger Brugué should continue on the right flank. He has been a key figure for the Granotes so far this season, scoring three times in four appearances.

There are three injury absentees for the visitors. Alejandro Primo, Karl Etta Eyong and Hugo Sotelo will play no part, but other than that, Castro has a full squad to select from.

Levante predicted lineup vs Villarreal (4-3-3): Ryan; Pérez, De la Fuente, Mandi, Sánchez; Rey, Bardeli, Olasagasti; Brugué, Romero, Fernández.

Villarreal vs Levante Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Over 2.5 goals
  • Odds: 1.48 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Villarreal 3-2 Levante
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 2P4GZ

Key stats:

  • There have been 14 goals scored across the past three league meetings at the Cerámica.
  • Including friendlies, Villarreal have netted 15 times in their last six outings against this opposition.
  • Three of Levante’s five matches this term finished with three or more goals.

There hasn’t been much wrong with Villarreal’s attacking play in recent weeks. Moreno and Nicolas Pépé have both chipped in with goals in support of Mikautadze, but the Yellow Submarine have conceded five times across their opening two fixtures in front of their own fans. Real Betis registered 11 shots on target when they visited on Monday night.

The home team’s early displays make over 2.5 goals a safe pick in this clash at odds of 1.48. Levante matches in La Liga 2026/27 are currently averaging 3.2 goals per 90 minutes. Castro is keen to continue playing positively, despite the limitations in his squad.

Villarreal vs Levante Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Villarreal to win & Both teams to score
  • Odds: 2.8 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 5DKGZ

Villarreal have scored 12 times across their last three home league fixtures against Levante, winning all of them. However, the Granotes did net in two of those matches.

Backing the hosts to win and both teams to score offers value at odds of 2.8. The visiting attack will take confidence from having already struck twice or more against Real Betis and Barcelona, two of last season’s top five clubs.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals (1.48) — Villarreal 3-2 Levante