Athletic vs Levante Prediction 8 February 2026
🔊 What will Ernesto Valverde do to break his team's unfortunate streak? This coming Sunday, San Mamés will host a head-to-head clash between Athletic and Levante. Surprisingly, both clubs find themselves in the lower half of the league table. The Basque side are enduring one of their weakest seasons in recent years, as indicated by key advanced statistics. A home match against the "Frogs" presents a perfect opportunity to lift the spirits of their fans. Bookmakers are giving a threefold advantage to the "Red and Whites."
Head-to-Head
📊 In the first round of the current championship, Levante failed to take any points from Athletic, suffering a 0-2 defeat. Let's look at the outcomes over their last 10 head-to-head encounters: the Basques have claimed 7 victories, there have been 3 draws, and the Frogs have not managed a single win. Considering the average scoring rate during this period, Athletic lead with 1.8 goals per match compared to Levante's 0.8. Levante's last triumph dates back to the 2018/19 La Liga season when they defeated Athletic 3-0 at the Ciudad de Valencia.
Head-to-head statistics Athletic - Levante
Athletic Bilbao Team Overview
🔴 The Basques have gone over two months without a win in the national championship, and this has inevitably affected their standing in the league table, placing them 11th. After 22 matches, the Lions have accumulated just 25 points, leaving them only three points clear of the relegation zone. This season, Athletic are struggling significantly in attack due to poor form from their key players and a lack of balance across the lines. On average, the Red and Whites score 0.95 goals per game while conceding at least 1.41. Last season, San Mamés was a fortress for them, but this campaign, Athletic often drop points at home, having secured only 17 points from 11 games (ranking 13th in the league).
⚪ In the last round of La Liga, the Basques narrowly avoided another home defeat. In their clash with Real Sociedad (1:1), Ernesto Valverde's side were rescued by a late strike from Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta in the 88th minute. However, it's fair to say that the team from the Basque Country fell short in several key statistical areas, particularly in pressing intensity and distance covered. Midweek, Athletic delighted their fans by reaching the semifinals of the Copa del Rey with a victory over Valencia (2:1). Despite lingering questions about the quality of their play, Ernesto Valverde's squad is now just one step away from a shot at the trophy.
Match Results: Athletic Bilbao
Levante UD Team Overview
🔵 The Valencian club remains one of the main contenders for relegation from La Liga. Despite Levante avoiding defeat in 5 of their last 6 matches, they sit in 19th place on the league table with 18 points from 21 games. They are 5 points adrift of the safety of 17th place. A key issue for the 'Frogs' is their defensive inefficiency, conceding an average of 1.62 goals per game. Interestingly, Levante have picked up the majority of their points on the road, securing 11 points from 11 away games, ranking them 9th in the league in this regard.
🔴 Last weekend, Levante managed to hold Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw at the 'Ciutat de Valencia'. Luis Castro's side effectively played on the counter, forming a solid defensive block. Atletico's expected goals tally of 0.85 is a testament to Levante's success. Notably, the Portuguese coach doesn't always employ such a pragmatic tactical approach. The classic 4-2-3-1 formation allows them to adapt individually to different opponents. Levante's top scorer remains Karel Etta Eyong, with 5 goals and 1 assist in 16 games, although he hasn't found the net since late October last year.
Match Results: Levante UD
Latest news
Athletic Bilbao
🎤 Following their cup victory over Valencia (1-1), Ernesto Valverde spoke to the media: "This team always has spirit, and that's something we must never lose. Reaching the semifinals, something Athletic have achieved frequently in recent times, is a success for us, and we hope it also becomes a reason for celebration for our fans. I am fervently hoping that this result will provide an emotional boost as we head into the final stretch of the campaign. We played a match where we dominated for extended periods. This was our objective from the start. It has been a challenging season for everyone, and all of this is excellent for the team because we desperately need positive outcomes."
❌ In Athletic's injury list are Marwan Sannadi (knee injury), Oihan Sancet (leg injury), Beñat Prados (knee injury), Unai Eguiluz (knee injury).
Levante UD
📰 Ahead of their away fixture against Athletic, Spanish footballer Karim Tunde attended a press conference. Recently, he had the chance to make his debut in senior football. The young Levante player shared how his life has changed in the months following his debut and establishing himself in the first team. "Things changed very quickly, but it was all about hard work. I'm focused on enjoying this experience, continuing to work hard, and staying true to myself," he commented. Karim also recalled his debut: "It's a moment you've dreamed of since childhood. When I stepped onto the field, I tried to be myself, as encouraged by my teammates and coaching staff." Regarding the opportunity to debut and become part of the first team, he acknowledges that "you always work to get there. In my case, it came sooner than I could have expected, but you always have to be ready for that opportunity and make the most of it. You need to hold on tight."
❌ In Levante's injury list are Roger Brugui (knee injury) and Victor Garcia (leg injury).
⚽ Goal Prediction
With Luis Castro at the helm, Levante have become more effective in their defensive phases. Notably, in 7 of their last 9 matches, the "Frogs" have seen no more than two goals scored. Interestingly, a similar trend is evident in 6 of the last 7 head-to-head encounters. Given the significant creative issues faced by the "Basques" this season, we don't anticipate a goal fest at San Mamés. Our editorial choice is under 2.5 total goals.
🚩 Corner Prediction
In 8 of Athletic's last 9 matches, there have been no more than 10 corner kicks. This pattern is also seen in 4 of the last 5 head-to-head meetings. It's important to consider the average number of corners earned by each side this season: the "Basques" average 5.7, while the "Frogs" average 3.4. We'll go with the following bet option - under 10.5 total corners.
Editorial Prediction
Athletic are enduring one of their weakest seasons in recent history. Ernesto Valverde is under significant pressure, and it's uncertain if he can navigate the team's current crisis on the pitch. Given that the Basques played a tough cup match midweek, there is a high chance their physical condition may not be at its best. Meanwhile, Levante have had a full week to prepare and currently find themselves in good form. We predict a final score of 1-1, with the key bet being Levante to win with a +1 handicap.
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Betting Tips: Athletic Bilbao - Levante UD
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