La Liga Regular Season - 1

Espanyol vs NS Levante

RCDE Stadium

Match Preview

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
62
Espanyol
vs
Levante
Sun, Aug 16 • 17:00 Español
⚡ Form 100
⚖️ Balance 50
🏆 Stakes 50
⭐ Stars 10
Opening day test for Espanyol and Levante.

Win Probability

  • Espanyol 47%
  • Draw 29%
  • Levante 25%

Futmetrix AI estimate

Curtain Raiser in Catalonia: Espanyol Welcome Levante

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 62/100. Opening day encounters often lack rhythm, and with both teams primarily focused on avoiding early mistakes, this clash might be more functional than thrilling.

The Setup

The new La Liga season kicks off on August 16, 2026, as Espanyol take on Levante at the RCDE Stadium. Being Matchday 1, the Stakes are understandably low as both managers try to find their competitive feet and integrate new systems. Espanyol enter as slight favorites, boasting a moderate Balance advantage, but neither side features off-the-charts Stars power to immediately blow the opposition away. For the hosts, getting the ball to C. Ngonge in attacking areas will be crucial, while Levante will hope Carlos Álvarez can pull the strings in midfield.

Key Battle

The central midfield clash will dictate the tempo of this match. Espanyol's engine room, anchored by Urko González, must establish dominance against a resilient Levante pressing unit. Without early-season Form to rely on, whichever midfield can string together sustained possession and protect their backline will likely carve out the few decisive chances of the game.

Our Prediction

Espanyol 1-0 Levante. We expect a cagey, tactical affair where the hosts edge it through a second-half set piece. Levante will stay organized, but Espanyol's slight home advantage should see them scrape a narrow victory.

Key Questions

Should I watch this match?

Only if you are a die-hard supporter. The lack of marquee talent makes this a highly skippable fixture for neutrals.

What's the predicted outcome?

A tight 1-0 win for Espanyol, with defenses prevailing over disjointed opening-day attacks.

Where are Espanyol and Levante in the league table?

This is Matchday 1 of the new regular season, so neither team has points or a table position yet.

What is Levante's current form?

As this is the first match of the league season, their competitive form is a blank slate.

Who is expected to win this match?

Espanyol hold a slight edge due to home advantage, though a low-scoring draw is a very realistic possibility.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
01/11/2026 Levante 1 - 1 Espanyol La Liga Estadio Ciudad de Valencia
02/04/2024 Espanyol 2 - 1 Levante Segunda División Stage Front Stadium
09/08/2023 Levante 1 - 4 Espanyol Segunda División Estadio Ciudad de Valencia
03/12/2022 Levante 1 - 1 Espanyol La Liga Estadio Ciudad de Valencia
12/11/2021 Espanyol 4 - 3 Levante La Liga RCDE Stadium
06/20/2020 Espanyol 1 - 3 Levante La Liga RCDE Stadium
10/27/2019 Levante 0 - 1 Espanyol La Liga Estadio Ciudad de Valencia
04/21/2019 Levante 2 - 2 Espanyol La Liga Ciutat de València
09/16/2018 Espanyol 1 - 0 Levante La Liga RCDE Stadium
03/04/2018 Levante 1 - 1 Espanyol La Liga Ciutat de València
01/11/2026
La Liga Estadio Ciudad de Valencia
02/04/2024
Segunda División Stage Front Stadium
09/08/2023
Segunda División Estadio Ciudad de Valencia
03/12/2022
La Liga Estadio Ciudad de Valencia
12/11/2021
La Liga RCDE Stadium
06/20/2020
La Liga RCDE Stadium
10/27/2019
La Liga Estadio Ciudad de Valencia
04/21/2019
La Liga Ciutat de València
09/16/2018
La Liga RCDE Stadium
03/04/2018
La Liga Ciutat de València
Espanyol Win
Levante Win
Draw