Celta de Vigo return to Balaídos on Tuesday evening with the confidence of a statement win behind them, but also with the need to show that result was the start of a stronger finish rather than a one-off. Levante, meanwhile, come into Round 36 with their own recent lift and the sense that they can make life awkward for a side still trying to steady itself.
With both teams carrying different kinds of momentum, this meeting has the feel of a late-season test of direction. Celta want to turn a mixed run into something more convincing at home, while Levante are looking to back up a solid spell with another disciplined away display.
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Why it matters
For Celta, the significance is clear: after a difficult stretch that included defeats to Villarreal, Barcelona and Real Oviedo, the win at Atlético Madrid offered a timely response. At this stage of the campaign, they need to show that their level can hold up against opponents outside the very top end as well, especially in front of their own supporters.
Levante arrive with a more settled recent picture, having taken points and wins from several of their last league outings. That gives this fixture wider importance for their end-of-season direction, because a positive result at Balaídos would underline that their recent improvement is not limited to home matches. It is also a chance to test themselves against a side that has already shown it can produce a big away performance.
Form picture
Celta’s league form has been uneven, but the 1-0 win at Atlético Madrid stands out sharply against the backdrop of three defeats in the four matches before it. The home loss to Real Oviedo was particularly damaging, while the narrow defeats at Villarreal and Barcelona suggest they have been competitive in spells without finding enough control.
There is, however, a more encouraging thread in their recent home work. The 3-1 win over Elche showed they can still impose themselves when the game opens up, and the Atlético result suggests they are capable of staying compact and striking at the right moments. The challenge is linking those performances together more consistently.
Levante’s recent league run has been stronger overall, with three wins, a draw and only one heavy defeat in their last five. The 3-2 win over Osasuna followed a 2-0 success against Sevilla and a 1-0 victory over Getafe, which points to a side that has been finding ways to manage games and edge tight contests.
The 5-1 loss at Villarreal is the obvious outlier, but even that result does not erase the broader sense of progress. Levante have shown they can be organised, difficult to break down and efficient enough to take chances when they come, which makes them a tricky opponent for a Celta side still searching for rhythm.
Key storyline
The main tactical question is whether Celta can turn their recent away resilience into a more assertive home performance. Their likely 3-4-2-1 shape gives them a compact base, with Borja Iglesias, Pablo Durán and Williot Swedberg offering a direct front line and enough movement to attack quickly when space appears.
Levante’s recent use of both 4-4-1-1 and 4-1-4-1 suggests a side comfortable adjusting their midfield balance depending on the opponent. That flexibility should help them stay organised without the ball, but it also means they may spend long periods trying to deny Celta central access and force the game into wider areas.
Team news
Celta remain without Miguel Román because of a metatarsal fracture, which limits their midfield options but does not appear to force a major reshuffle. The expected XI points towards continuity, with Ionuț Radu behind a back three of Javi Rodríguez, Marcos Alonso and Yoel Lago.
The shape should again allow Fer López, Ilaix Moriba, Álvaro Núñez and Óscar Mingueza to provide the midfield and wide support, while Borja Iglesias is likely to lead the line alongside Pablo Durán and Williot Swedberg. That setup suggests Celta will look to keep their structure intact rather than chase too many changes after the Atlético win.
Levante are missing Iván Romero through a muscle tear, which removes one attacking option and may slightly narrow their forward rotation. Mathew Ryan is expected to continue in goal, with Adrián Dela, Jeremy Toljan, Manu Sánchez and Matías Moreno forming the defensive line in front of him.
Their likely 4-4-1-1 shape points to a pragmatic approach, with Kareem Tunde, Oriol Rey, Pablo Martínez and Víctor García providing the midfield screen and Carlos Espí and Jon Ander Olasagasti offering the attacking outlet. The balance of the side suggests Levante will prioritise compactness and transitions rather than sustained pressure.
Tactical battle
The key area is likely to be the middle third, where Celta’s midfield runners will try to connect quickly with their front three while Levante look to close passing lanes and slow the tempo. If Celta can move the ball cleanly through the centre, they should be able to ask more questions of a defence that has already shown vulnerability in one heavy defeat.
Levante’s best route may be to keep the game tight for as long as possible and use their shape to frustrate Celta’s attacking rhythm. If they can force the hosts into wider, less dangerous areas, the match may become a contest of patience rather than one of sustained pressure.
Recent meetings
Recent meetings have slightly favoured Celta, who won the reverse fixture 2-1 in November 2025 and have also taken two of the last five encounters, with the other three ending in draws. That pattern suggests a competitive fixture rather than a one-sided one, but Celta have had the edge in the most recent meeting.
Reporter’s view
This feels like a match where Celta’s confidence from the Atlético win will be tested against a Levante side that has been more consistent over the last few weeks. The home side have the more eye-catching single result, but Levante arrive with a steadier body of work and enough structure to make this uncomfortable.
The most likely pattern is Celta trying to take the initiative, with Levante happy to stay compact and wait for moments to break. If the hosts can reproduce the discipline and sharpness they showed at Atlético, they should have enough to edge it, but Levante’s recent form means this is unlikely to be straightforward.
Prediction
Celta de Vigo to edge a tight contest, with the home side’s recent statement win giving them the slight advantage.
