Valencia CF vs Levante UD Preview, Prediction & Lineups La Liga 2025/26
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Introduction
The Derbi Valenciano returns to the Mestalla, but this time, the stakes couldn’t be higher—or more desperate. This isn’t a fight for European spots; it’s a battle for survival. Valencia CF, sitting precariously in 17th place, host their city rivals Levante UD, who languish in 19th.1
With both teams separated by just a single point and the relegation zone looming large, this Friday night clash is a “six-pointer” in every sense. Valencia coach Rubén Baraja is under immense pressure to end a dismal run of form, while Julián Calero’s Levante will see this as the perfect opportunity to drag their wealthy neighbors down with them. Expect a fiery, tension-filled night in Valencia.
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Valencia CF vs Levante UD
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 13)
- Venue: Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia
- Date: Friday, 21 November 2025
- Kickoff Time: 21:00 CET / 20:00 GMT / 01:30 IST (Saturday)
- Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero (Expected)
- VAR: Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva (Expected)
- TV Channel (UK): Premier Sports 1, LaLigaTV
- TV Channel (USA): ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
- TV Channel (India): GXR, Sports18
- Live Stream: ESPN+ (USA), JioStar / FanCode (India)
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Match Context (2025/26 Season)
Valencia CF:
- Position: 17th in La Liga with 10 points.
- Form: Dismal. They are winless in their last 5 league games, with their only recent joy coming in a Copa del Rey win over Maracena.
- Current Challenge: Scoring goals. They have failed to score in 3 of their last 5 league matches. The Mestalla crowd is turning restless.
Levante UD:
- Position: 19th in La Liga with 9 points.
- Form: Fighting but fragile. They managed a 3-1 loss to Atletico Madrid last week but showed spirit.8
- Current Challenge: Defensive leaks. They have conceded 26 goals this season—the second-worst record in the league.
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — What’s at Stake
For Valencia CF:
- Survival: A loss here would drop them into the relegation zone and potentially cost Baraja his job.
- City Pride: Losing a derby at home to a newly promoted side would be a humiliation the fans won’t forgive.
For Levante UD:
- The Great Escape: A win would leapfrog them over Valencia and potentially out of the drop zone.
- Momentum: Taking 3 points at the Mestalla would be a massive psychological boost for the rest of the season.
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Team Form
Valencia CF (Last 5 Matches):
- D vs Real Betis (1-1)
- L vs Real Madrid (0-4)
- W vs Maracena (5-0) Copa del Rey
- L vs Villarreal (0-2)
- D vs Alaves (0-0)
Levante UD (Last 5 Matches):
- L vs Atl. Madrid (1-3)
- L vs Celta Vigo (1-2)
- W vs Orihuela (4-3) Copa del Rey
- D vs Mallorca (1-1)
- L vs Rayo Vallecano (0-3)
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Team News
Valencia CF:
- Mouctar Diakhaby: Out (Hamstring Injury)
- Largie Ramazani: Out (Muscle Injury)
- Dimitri Foulquier: Questionable (Knee Injury – Late fitness test)
- Filip Ugrinic: Questionable (Knee Injury)
- Hugo Duro: Available (Expected to start upfront)
- José Gayà: Available (Captain returns to lead the defense)
Levante UD:
- Carlos Espí: Out (Hamstring Injury)
- Pablo Martínez: Out (Ankle Injury – Key midfield loss)
- Unai Vencedor: Available (Returns from suspension)
- José Luis Morales: Available (The veteran is fit for the derby)
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Head to Head
- 31 Jul 2024: Valencia 0–0 Levante (Friendly)
- 30 Apr 2022: Valencia 1–1 Levante (La Liga)
- 21 Dec 2021: Levante 3–4 Valencia (La Liga)
- 30 Jul 2021: Valencia 1–0 Levante (Friendly)
- 13 Mar 2021: Levante 1–0 Valencia (La Liga)
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Predicted Lineups
Valencia CF (4-4-2):
Baraja will likely opt for a traditional 4-4-2 to get more bodies in the box against Levante’s leaky defense.
- GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili
- RB: Thierry Correia
- CB: Cristhian Mosquera
- CB: César Tárrega
- LB: José Gayà
- RM: Diego López
- CM: Pepelu
- CM: Javi Guerra
- LM: Luis Rioja
- ST: Hugo Duro
- ST: Rafa Mir
Levante UD (5-3-2):
Calero knows he needs to stop the bleeding at the back, so expect a 5-man defense to frustrate Valencia.
- GK: Andrés Fernández
- RWB: Andrés García
- CB: Unai Elgezabal
- CB: Jorge Cabello
- CB: Adrián de la Fuente
- LWB: Diego Pampín
- CM: Giorgi Kochorashvili
- CM: Oriol Rey
- CM: Sergio Lozano
- ST: José Luis Morales
- ST: Roger Brugué
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Tactical Outlook
Valencia CF:
- Playing Style: Urgency and Crosses. With Gayà and Correia pushing high, Valencia will look to overload the wings and rain crosses into Hugo Duro and Rafa Mir. They need to play with high intensity to get the crowd involved early.
- Weakness: Counter-Attack Defense. When Valencia commits men forward, they leave huge gaps behind Gayà. Levante’s speedsters will target this space.
Levante UD:
- Playing Style: Sit Deep & Counter. Levante will happily concede possession (likely <40%) and try to hit Valencia on the break using the pace of Brugué and the intelligence of Morales.
- Weakness: Set Pieces. Levante has conceded 8 goals from corners this season. With Valencia’s height (Mosquera/Tárrega), this is a massive vulnerability.
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| José Gayà vs. Andrés García | Captain vs. Rookie: Gayà is Valencia’s best attacking outlet. If García can’t track his runs, Valencia will dominate the left flank. | Valencia |
| Pepelu vs. Oriol Rey | Midfield General: Pepelu faces his former club. He needs to control the tempo and stop Levante’s transitions before they start. | Valencia |
| Mosquera vs. José Luis Morales | Youth vs. Experience: “El Comandante” Morales loves scoring in derbies. Mosquera has the pace, but does he have the savvy to stop the veteran? | Tie |
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Spotlight Players
Pepelu (Valencia CF):
The midfielder crossed the city divide from Levante to Valencia a few seasons ago, making him Public Enemy No. 1 for the visitors. He is the heartbeat of this Valencia team. If he plays well, Valencia wins. If he gets rattled by the emotional occasion, the team crumbles.
José Luis Morales (Levante UD):
The 38-year-old legend is back at Levante for one last dance. He might have lost a yard of pace, but his finishing and movement are still elite. In a game of few chances, his composure could decide the result.
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Statistical Snapshot
| Metric | Valencia CF | Levante UD |
| La Liga Position | 17th (10 Points) | 19th (9 Points) |
| Last 5 Matches | 1W, 2D, 2L | 1W, 1D, 3L |
| Goals Scored | 8 | 12 |
| Goals Conceded | 18 | 26 |
| Clean Sheets | 2 | 0 |
| Top Scorer | Hugo Duro (3 goals) | Roger Brugué (4 goals) |
Explanation: Levante scores more goals but has a disastrous defense. Valencia struggles to score but is slightly more solid at the back. This clash of styles often leads to chaotic, high-scoring games despite the teams’ poor form.
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Fan Reactions
Valencia Fans:
“If we can’t beat Levante at home, we deserve to go down. No excuses this time.”
“Baraja needs to start Rafa Mir. We need goals, not pretty football.”
Levante Fans:
“Mestalla is the perfect place to turn our season around. Let’s silence them!”
“Morales will score. It is written in the stars. The Commander always delivers.”
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Where to Watch
- India: JioStar, Sports18, GXR
- UK: Premier Sports 1, LaLigaTV32
- USA: ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
- Spain: DAZN LaLiga, Movistar+
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Match-Defining Factors
- The “Mestalla” Factor: The stadium can be a 12th man or a toxic burden. If Valencia scores early, the noise will be deafening. If Levante scores first, the fans might turn on their own team.
- Set-Piece Battle: Valencia is strong in the air; Levante is weak defending corners. One header from a corner could decide this tight game.
- Discipline: Derbies are heated. A red card is a very real possibility, especially with aggressive players like Pepelu and Lozano in midfield.
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Prediction
Score Prediction: Valencia CF 2–1 Levante UD
Betting Insights:
- Outcome: Valencia to Win (Home advantage + Levante’s terrible defense).
- Both Teams to Score: YES (Valencia’s defense is shaky; Levante always finds a goal).
- Total Cards: Over 5.5 Cards (It’s a desperate derby; expect lots of fouls).
Analysis: This will not be a pretty game. It will be a gritty, physical fight. However, Valencia’s quality at set-pieces and the home crowd advantage should be just enough to edge past a Levante side that simply cannot stop conceding goals.
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — Final Word
The Derbi Valenciano is rarely boring, and with relegation fears gripping both clubs, this edition will be played at a frantic pace. Valencia has the slight edge in quality and defensive organization. Expect Hugo Duro to be the hero in a narrow, nervous victory that gives Los Che breathing room and leaves Levante deep in trouble.
Valencia CF vs Levante UD — FAQs
When is the Valencia vs Levante match?
The match kicks off on Friday, 21 November 2025, at 21:00 CET (Saturday 01:30 IST).33
Is Pepelu playing against his old club?
Yes, Pepelu is fit and expected to start in midfield for Valencia against his former team, Levante.34
Where can I watch the match in India?
You can watch the match live on JioStar, Sports18, or stream it via the GXR app.
Who is the referee for the derby?
José Luis Munuera Montero is expected to officiate the match.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
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