Levante vs Mallorca: A Crucial Relegation Battle in La Liga

Estadio Ciudad de Valencia stages a high‑stakes relegation showdown on 17 May 2026 as 19th‑placed Levante host 18th‑placed Mallorca in La Liga’s penultimate round. Both sides sit on 39 points, both are currently in the relegation places, and with just two matches left, this is as close to a winner‑stays‑up decider as the league can offer.

Context and stakes

In the league, Levante are 19th with 39 points and a goal difference of -15 (44 scored, 59 conceded). Mallorca are just one place above them in 18th, also on 39 points but with a slightly better goal difference of -11 (44 scored, 55 conceded). The table labels both as heading for “Relegation - LaLiga2”, so survival hopes are thin, but victory here would at least give the winner a fighting chance going into the final day.

Form lines underline how knife‑edge this is. Levante’s official league form reads “WWLDW”, suggesting a late surge. Mallorca’s is “LDWLD”, more erratic and with just one win in their last five. With both teams level on points, this game is likely to define who has any realistic chance of scrambling to safety.

Tactical landscape

Levante: flexible but fragile

Across all phases, Levante have played 36 league matches, winning 10, drawing 9 and losing 17. They average 1.2 goals for and 1.6 against per game, underlining a side that can score but is consistently exposed.

At home, they have been slightly stronger: 6 wins, 5 draws and 7 defeats from 18, with 24 goals scored and 28 conceded. That 1.3 goals per game at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia is modest, but it is backed by 4 home clean sheets and only 5 home matches where they failed to score.

Tactically, Levante are notably flexible. Their most used formations in the league are:

• 4‑2‑3‑1 (11 matches)
• 4‑4‑2 (10 matches)
• 4‑1‑4‑1 (8 matches)
• 5‑4‑1 (3 matches)
• 4‑3‑3 (2 matches)
• 4‑5‑1 and 4‑4‑1‑1 (1 match each)

That spread suggests a coach willing to adapt shape to opponent and game state. At home in a must‑win, a 4‑2‑3‑1 or 4‑4‑2 is likeliest, aiming to balance protection for a shaky defence with enough bodies around the striker.

Defensively, the numbers are worrying. Levante have conceded 59 goals, with their “biggest loses” including 1‑4 at home and 5‑1 away. They do, however, have 8 clean sheets in total and have failed to score in 12 matches, so when they do get the balance right, they can shut teams out and nick results.

Discipline could matter in a tense relegation scrap. Levante’s yellow cards are heavily clustered late in games: the 76‑90 and 61‑75 minute ranges are among the highest. Red cards are concentrated between 16‑30, 46‑60 and 91‑105 minutes, hinting at potential flashpoints either early in the second half or in stoppage time.

From the spot, Levante have been reliable: 2 penalties taken, 2 scored, 0 missed across the season.

Mallorca: home comfort, away problems

Mallorca mirror Levante’s record almost exactly across all phases: 10 wins, 9 draws, 17 defeats, 44 goals scored, 55 conceded. The key difference is the split between home and away.

At Son Moix, Mallorca have been solid: 8 wins, 6 draws, 4 defeats, with 28 scored and 21 conceded (1.6 for, 1.2 against per game). Away, they have struggled badly: 2 wins, 3 draws and 13 defeats from 18, scoring only 16 and conceding 34 (0.9 for, 1.9 against). That away record – 13 losses in 18 – is a major red flag heading into a hostile relegation decider.

Like Levante, they average 1.2 goals scored per match overall, but their defensive record is slightly better (1.5 conceded per game). They have kept 5 clean sheets and failed to score 8 times, suggesting a slightly more controlled, if still vulnerable, unit.

Mallorca’s tactical base is clearer than Levante’s. They have lined up in:

• 4‑2‑3‑1 (20 matches)
• 4‑3‑1‑2 (7 matches)
• 5‑3‑2 (4 matches)
• 4‑4‑2 (3 matches)
• 4‑3‑3 and 4‑3‑2‑1 (1 match each)

The 4‑2‑3‑1 is their go‑to, providing structure behind their star striker. In a match of this magnitude, the double pivot in front of the defence will be crucial in screening transitions, especially given their away fragility.

Discipline is again a theme. Mallorca’s yellow cards peak between 46‑60 minutes, with another spike in the final quarter‑hour. Red cards have come mainly in the 31‑45 and 61‑75 minute windows, plus one in 91‑105, so emotional control will be vital.

From the penalty spot, Mallorca have a 5‑from‑5 team record this season, with no misses recorded at team level.

Key players

The standout individual in this fixture is Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi. In the league, he has:

• 35 appearances (34 starts), 2,960 minutes
• 22 goals and 1 assist
• 86 shots, 47 on target
• Average rating of 7.09

He is physically dominant (194cm, 92kg), thrives in duels (425 contested, 219 won) and draws a huge number of fouls (61). His penalty record this season is strong but not flawless: 5 scored and 2 missed, so while he is a major threat from the spot, opponents know he is not automatic.

With Mallorca’s away attack averaging just 0.9 goals per game, Muriqi’s output is essentially their survival lifeline. The whole attacking structure in a 4‑2‑3‑1 is built around servicing him with crosses and set‑pieces.

Levante’s individual scoring data is not provided, but their 44 goals and biggest wins (4‑2 at home, 0‑4 away) show they can spread goals around. Their varied formations suggest they may look to overload wide areas and attack Mallorca’s full‑backs, especially given the visitors’ away defensive record.

Injuries and suspensions

Both squads are hit by absences.

For Levante, the following are listed as missing for this fixture:

• C. Alvarez (Injury)
• U. Elgezabal (Knee Injury)
• A. Primo (Shoulder Injury)
• U. Vencedor (Coach’s decision)

The loss of multiple squad options reduces Levante’s flexibility from the bench, particularly in defensive and midfield rotations.

Mallorca’s list is even longer:

• L. Bergstrom (Injury)
• M. Joseph (Knee Injury)
• J. Kalumba (Injury)
• M. Kumbulla (Muscle Injury)
• O. Mascarell (Yellow Cards – suspension)
• A. Raillo (Injury)
• J. Salas (Knee Injury)

The suspension of O. Mascarell is especially significant. As a central presence, his absence could force a reshuffle in the double pivot of the 4‑2‑3‑1, potentially weakening Mallorca’s ability to control the middle and protect their centre‑backs, particularly away from home.

Head‑to‑head

Counting only competitive fixtures (excluding the 2020 club friendly), the last four La Liga meetings read:

1. 26 October 2025, Estadi Mallorca Son Moix: Mallorca 1‑1 Levante – draw.
2. 8 January 2022, Estadio Ciudad de Valencia: Levante 2‑0 Mallorca – Levante home win.
3. 2 October 2021, Iberostar Estadi: Mallorca 1‑0 Levante – Mallorca home win.
4. 9 July 2020, Iberostar Estadi: Mallorca 2‑0 Levante – Mallorca home win.

Over these four competitive matches: Mallorca 2 wins, Levante 1 win, 1 draw.

Levante do, however, have that recent psychological boost of a 2‑0 home victory in January 2022 at this very stadium.

The verdict

The data sets up a finely balanced but stylistically clear contest.

• Levante have better recent form and a stronger home record than Mallorca’s away form.
• Mallorca have the superior goal difference, a marginally tighter defence overall, and the outstanding individual in Muriqi.
• Mallorca’s away record (2‑3‑13, 16‑34) and the absence of Mascarell tilt the midfield and territorial battle towards Levante.
• Levante’s defence is fragile, but at home in a must‑win, their flexibility in shape and capacity to score should ensure they create chances.

On balance, this looks like a game where Levante’s urgency and home advantage meet Mallorca’s individual firepower. The numbers point towards a tight, tense match, with a slight statistical edge to Levante at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia – but with Muriqi on the pitch, Mallorca will believe one clear chance could change the entire relegation picture.