Levante – Athletic Bilbao: Preview
We provide insights into the predictions for the Levante vs Athletic Bilbao match in the sixth round of the 2025/26 Spanish league.
"Levante" is in 17th place, one point from relegation. "Athletic" is in 11th place, five points behind the European competition zone with two games to spare. Both fixtures against the Basques have already been rescheduled, and one of them will already be played.
Key points
Levante
1. "Levante" plays well, but has only won once.
"Levante" coach Luis Castro is doing well: the new summer signings are gradually integrating, the frog's play is in order, although they leave too many chances in their goal (17.96 xG – only better than two teams). For that reason, "Levante" has won only once since the start of the season, at home defeating "Betis" (5:2). Coach Luis Castro, after the 1:1 draw with "Deportivo": "I am dissatisfied with the result, but satisfied with the team's progress." In January 2026, after his appointment, Castro already transformed the team; now he must do it a second time.
2. Rátov and Requeña join the squad
One of the initial difficulties for "Levante" was the personnel change: several key players left the club in summer and the new ones needed time to adapt. Now it is nearing the end. First, there is talk of Dani Requeña and Pedro Rátov, who in the first seven matches of the season have only started once. In the clash with "Deportivo" in the last round, Rátov provided an assist to Requeña, who equalised. Both will almost certainly start in the match against "Athletic".
3. "Levante" finishes matches with strength
In the match against "Deportivo", "Levante" equalised in the 82nd minute, and the previous season against "Sevilla" (3:3) managed two goals in stoppage time, securing a draw. Another highlighted example is the home match against "Barcelona" (2:4): even with a 0:3 score, the frogs did not give up and in the second half narrowed the deficit to the minimum. Six of the 12 goals for "Levante" were scored after the 75th minute – the third result after "Barcelona" and "Atlético" (eight each). It is no coincidence: in the 2025/26 season, the frogs were the best in La Liga for goals in stoppage time (eight). They consistently increase in the final stages.
Athletic Bilbao
1. "Athletic" aims for European competitions, but lacks stability
"Athletic" will try to fight for a place in European competitions – with the points lost, they are in the sixth best. However, the Basques lack stability. Before the international break, they lost points with draws against "Elche" (1:1) and "Alavés" (0:0). The break and the rescheduling of the match against "Rayo Vallecano" left "Athletic" without practice for a month. They barely lost the draw with "Valencia" (0:0) under Javier Aguirre, who quickly became a solid defender. "Levante" will not stay still in defense, but also has a response – at home, the frogs even caused problems for "Barça".
2. Nico and Navarro are close to returning
The top scorer for "Athletic" last season, Gorka Guruzeta, broke his cruciate ligaments and retired before the end of the season. Inaki Williams is in terrible shape, so he will likely replace Guruzeta with Maroán Sanndi, who has not yet scored this season. Nico Williams returned to training with the squad after a thigh injury, but if he appears on the field, it will only be at the end. Oyan Sanset is injured and will not play. "Athletic" lost all its attacking leaders. At least, Robert Navarro is already fit.
3. "Athletic" faces difficulties in away matches
In the current season, "Athletic"'s away record is not the richest: in three matches they achieved a win, a draw and a loss. But at the end of last season, they only had one win in seven matches. The visit to "Levante" is especially tough. The frogs usually flood their pitch, making it difficult for the favorites. In addition, in Valencia, torrential rains continue, which has altered "Levante"'s training regime. So this time, nature will complicate "Athletic"'s life.
Approximate lineups 4-3-3 4-2-3-1 1-1-3
Rayan 23, Sánchez 2, Mandí 4, Adrián de la Fuente 22, Tolón 20, Rey 6, Requeña 8, Olaga 9, Romero 17, García 10, Rátov 1, Simón 12, Areso 5, Álvarez 14, Lapat 17, Berchiche 18, Haurégis 16, Ruiz 23, Navarro 28, Canales 7, Berenguer 21, Sanndi.
Trend betting
In the last six matches against "Levante", "Athletic" won four times. Bet: P2 at 2.15. In four of the last six matches between "Levante" and "Athletic", both teams scored. Bet: both teams will score – Yes at 1.72.
Forecast
Sevilla vs Athletic Bilbao 31.01.2027 17:00
"Levante" is doing well – the new summer signings are gradually integrating, the frog's play is in order, although they leave too many chances in their goal (17.96 xG – only better than two teams). For that reason, "Levante" has won only once since the start of the season, at home defeating "Betis" (5:2). The new players adapt and bring results. The highlight is "Levante"'s ability to turn matches: half of the goals in the current season were scored after the 75th minute. "Athletic" had a good start, but before the break execution problems arose, resulting in two draws. After the break, there was a draw with "Valencia" (0:0), where there were almost no chances – the Basque offense is broken: Guruzeta and Sanset are injured, Nico returns but is not ready for the start, Inaki is not fit. In addition, in the last ten away matches there are only two wins. Let's assume the teams draw. Forecast: 1-1
