The lights at the RCDE Stadium are set to shine on a high-stakes Monday night clash that feels more like a cup final than a standard league fixture. Espanyol welcomes a rejuvenated Levante side for a match that could either ignite a late-season revival for the Catalans or drag them further into a terrifying relegation dogfight.
Espanyol: The Hunt for the Lost Win
It is one of the most baffling stats of the season: Espanyol has not tasted victory since December. After a blistering start to the campaign that had fans dreaming of European football, the Catalans have hit a brick wall. They haven’t won a single game in 2026, a run that has seen them plummet to 12th in the table.
With only a four-point cushion above the drop zone, the pressure on Manolo González is reaching a boiling point. The absence of star man Javi Puado (ACL) continues to haunt them, leaving Kike García to shoulder the scoring burden alone.
Levante: The Great Escape Artist
While Espanyol is sliding down the table, Levante is climbing with ferocious intent. Under Luis Castro, the Granotes have won three of their last four matches, including back-to-back 2-0 victories over Getafe and Sevilla.
They are currently 19th, but they look nothing like a relegation team. Even with the suspension of Iván Romero, who scored a brace against Sevilla before picking up a milestone yellow, Levante arrives with confidence. Look out for 19-year-old sensation Carlos Espí, who has eight goals this season and will be licking his chops at Espanyol’s shaky backline.
Head-to-Head & Prediction
History favors the hosts—Espanyol has won five of the last nine meetings—but momentum is firmly in the visitors’ corner. Their last encounter in January ended in a 1-1 draw, and given the stakes, another tight affair is on the cards.
Prediction: Espanyol’s home advantage might save them from a loss, but their lack of cutting edge remains a massive issue. Levante is playing with too much “survival spirit” to leave empty-handed.
Final Score: Espanyol 1-1 Levante
