The stage is set at the historic Ciutat de València in Valencia for a pivotal La Liga showdown between Levante and Villarreal, kicking off on February 18, 2026, at 21:00 CEST. As two teams at sharply contrasting ends of the table prepare for battle, the significance of this encounter goes beyond mere points it’s a clash between Levante’s fight for survival and Villarreal’s ambition for European qualification.
Under the tactical stewardship of Luís Castro, Levante has been grappling with inconsistency, desperately needing momentum. Villarreal, led by the esteemed Marcelino, sits in the upper echelons of La Liga, targeting another decisive away victory to bolster their top-three ambitions.
Eyes will be on Levante’s midfield dynamo Pablo Martínez Andrés, whose vision and transitional play could unlock spaces against Villarreal’s structured block. For the Yellow Submarine, striker and talisman Gerard Moreno enters as a primary threat, boasting precise movement and an unerring eye for goal.
One “hot stat” that stands out: Villarreal has collected a striking 14 yellow cards in their last five matches a testament to their aggressive pressing but also a potential liability.
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Levante vs Villarreal predictions
My best bet: Villarreal to win. While both teams are navigating challenging form, Villarreal’s attacking depth spearheaded by Gerard Moreno and supported by the creative bursts of Nicolas Pépé offers a robust argument for an away win. The Yellow Submarine’s ability to capitalize on Levante’s defensive fragility tips the scales. Historically disciplined in structure and boasting superior pass accuracy, Villarreal’s transition play could be decisive. The odds strongly favor the visitors, reflecting bookmakers’ consensus on their quality and ambition.
When examining team styles, Levante approaches matches with a measured possession game (1217 passes, 79.3% accuracy in their last five) but reveals vulnerabilities giving away 45 fouls and picking up 6 yellows recently. Villarreal, meanwhile, embraces a more aggressive and direct approach (1671 passes, 84.3% accuracy, but with a high 76 fouls and 14 yellow cards), seeking to disrupt rhythm and exploit transitions. This high-intensity style could see Villarreal control the game, yet exposes them to dangerous counter-attacks, especially if refereeing is strict.
- ⚽Total Goals: Over 2.5
- 💥Both Teams To Score: Yes
- 🎯Total Corners: Over 8.5
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Levante vs Villarreal Most recent H2Hs
| Statistic | Levante | Villarreal |
|---|---|---|
| Total shots | 51 | 36 |
| Free kicks | 19 | 18 |
| Corner kicks | 19 | 18 |
| Total fouls | 45 | 76 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 79 | 84 |
| Interceptions | 34 | 41 |
| Offsides | 5 | 5 |
Reviewing previous encounters, Villarreal holds a slight statistical edge in goals scored and defensive interventions, painting a picture of a squad comfortable imposing its tempo. Levante’s statistical parity in key attacking areas like corners and shots suggests that, while underdogs, they remain capable of conjuring danger especially at home. In recent meetings, the margin has rarely exceeded a single goal, and physicality has often tipped the balance.
🚨Read our full Levante vs Villarreal stats for more analysis.
Key Stats
- Villarreal averaged 1.4 goals per match over the last five La Liga outings.
- Levante have failed to score in two of their last five matches.
- Villarreal has received nearly 3 yellow cards per match recently, suggesting disciplinary pockets to exploit.
- Gerard Moreno (Villarreal) has directly contributed to 3 goals (2 goals, 1 assist) in his last 4 appearances.
- Levante’s attacking midfielder Pablo Martínez has contributed a goal and an assist in his last four games.
Levante vs Villarreal score prediction: 1-2
Expect Villarreal’s attacking quality to prevail, though not without a hard-fought response from Levante. With Moreno and Pépé threatening for the visitors and Pablo Martínez orchestrating for Levante, the game could hinge on transitional efficiency and set-piece execution. Villarreal’s superior squad depth means they have the slight edge to come away with a 2-1 win, especially if their high press disrupts Levante’s build-up.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Villarreal the favourite
| Moneyline | Levante 4.10 | Villarreal 1.84 | |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | 4.04 | |
| Over/Under | Over 2.5 1.95 | Under 2.5 1.85 | |
| BTTS (both teams to score) | Yes 1.78 | No 2.05 | |
The odds reflect Villarreal’s superior season trajectory and squad depth. At 1.84 to win, Villarreal is the clear favorite, though the market sees potential for goals on both ends (BTTS at 1.78). Value can be found on over 2.5 goals given defensive lapses on both sides. A tight encounter is likely, but Villarreal has justified favoritism through greater consistency and sharper edge in attack.
Levante vs Villarreal Over/Under Analysis
- 3 out of Levante’s last 5 matches have seen over 2.5 goals.
- Villarreal conceded at least 2 goals in 4 of their last 5 fixtures.
- Four of the last five matches involving these sides ended with both teams on the scoresheet.
- Set pieces and defensive fouls likely to contribute to a high number of total corners key for prop bettors.
Levante Preview
Levante enters this fixture on a challenging run: just one win in the last five, including a recent 0-2 home defeat to Valencia that exposed defensive vulnerabilities and an inability to convert possession into meaningful chances. Their draw against Atletico Madrid, however, showcased resolve and defensive structure when properly tuned. Luis Castro is likely to stick with the 4-2-3-1 setup that allows Pablo Martínez room to dictate pace, but questions persist regarding Levante’s backline when pressured by dynamic attacks.
Levante possible starting eleven

- GK: Mathew Ryan
- DF: Adrián de la Fuente Barquilla, Jeremy Toljan, Manu Sánchez, Alan Matturro
- MF: Pablo Martínez Andrés, Kervin Arriaga, Jon Ander Olasagasti
- FW: Iván Romero, Carlos Álvarez, Karl Etta Eyong
Villarreal Preview
Despite their strong league position, Villarreal’s recent results mirror a team in a period of recalibration: a dominant 4-1 win over Espanyol contrasted sharply with a disappointing 1-2 reverse against Getafe. Marcelino has favored a 4-4-2, making use of the versatile Gerard Moreno and energetic Nicolas Pépé up front. The Yellow Submarine possess the technical ability to dictate phases of play but must be wary of disciplinary issues, as recent cards tally shows their aggressive press can turn rash. Their improved pass accuracy (84.3%) and interception rate (41) reveal a squad adept at disrupting opponents’ attacking flow.
Villarreal possible starting eleven

- GK: Luíz Lúcio Reis Júnior
- DF: Pau Navarro, Rafael Marin Zamora, Sergio Cardona, Renato Palma Veiga
- MF: Dani Parejo, Pape Gueye, Santi Comesaña, Tajon Buchanan
- FW: Gerard Moreno, Nicolas Pépé

Levante. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
As Tips.GG team experts, we project Villarreal as the prime pick in this matchup, with a 58 percent win probability according to our AI-powered engine. The Yellow Submarine’s greater squad depth, sharper forward line with Moreno and Pépé, and tactical acumen should prevail against a Levante side whose defensive record is one of the weakest in the league. However, with Levante’s home crowd behind them and pockets of attacking potential, do not discount a goal from the hosts in a hard-fought contest.
How to watch Levante vs Villarreal
- When? 18 February 2026 at 21:00 CEST
- Where? Ciutat de València, Valencia
- How to watch: Official La Liga broadcast partners (ESPN+, Movistar, DAZN), local TV, club streaming services
- Favourite: Villarreal
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