{"id":32469,"date":"2026-01-04T08:26:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T12:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/sevilla-faces-levante-sunday-and-one-overlooked-factor-could-derail-hosts-resurrection\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T08:26:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T12:26:25","slug":"81521-sevilla-faces-levante-in-la-liga-clash-as-hosts-seek-to-extend-unbeaten-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/81521-sevilla-faces-levante-in-la-liga-clash-as-hosts-seek-to-extend-unbeaten-run\/","title":{"rendered":"Sevilla faces Levante Sunday and one overlooked factor could derail hosts’ resurrection"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sevilla – Levante<\/b> clash this Sunday with the hosts looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats and extend their home dominance over La Liga’s bottom-of-the-table visitors. With Levante<\/b> seeking their first win since October, this matchday 18 fixture promises to showcase the gap between a struggling side and a team hunting European qualification.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udd25 Quick Facts<\/h3>\n
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  • Sevilla<\/b> owns four consecutive victories over Levante<\/b> in direct matchups<\/li>\n
  • Levante<\/b> sits bottom with only 10 points<\/b> from 16 matches<\/b> played<\/li>\n
  • New Levante<\/b> manager Luis Castro<\/b> arrives following departure from Nantes<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Sevilla<\/b>‘s Gabriel Suazo<\/b> ruled out through injury; Levante<\/b> misses Etta Eyong<\/b> at AFCON<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    Sevilla Seeking Response After Real Madrid Loss<\/h2>\n

    Sevilla<\/b> enters this fixture in 10th place with 20 points<\/b> from 17 matches<\/b> played. Los Nervionenses suffered back-to-back defeats heading into this contest, including a 2-0 loss to Real Madrid<\/b> in their final match before the winter break and an earlier Copa del Rey<\/b> knockout against Alaves<\/b>. Manager Matias Almeyda<\/b>‘s side has shown inconsistency throughout 2025-26 with six wins, two draws<\/b>, and nine defeats<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    The home advantage at Estadio Ram\u00f3n S\u00e1nchez-Pizju\u00e1n<\/b> carries extra weight given recent performances. Sevilla<\/b> have dropped four of their eight home matches, a concerning statistic for a club with European aspirations. However, their record against Levante<\/b> provides genuine confidence\u2014the hosts have won four consecutive meetings with their visitors and claimed a 3-2 victory<\/b> when these teams last clashed in April 2022<\/b>. Currently sitting just three points behind seventh-placed Celta Vigo<\/b>, a win propels them back toward the European places.<\/p>\n

    Levante’s Basement Battle Continues Under New Regime<\/h2>\n

    Levante<\/b> arrives as La Liga’s bottom-dwellers, accumulating merely 10 points<\/b> across 16 matches<\/b>\u2014a dire tally that already has relegation specialists discussing escape routes. The club appointed Luis Castro<\/b>, the 45-year-old Portuguese manager, on December 20<\/b> in hopes of reversing their catastrophic slide. Castro’s<\/b> short stint with Nantes<\/b> offered mixed results, meaning expectation management will be crucial in this early phase.<\/p>\n

    Ironically, Levante<\/b>‘s away form presents their greatest threat to Sevilla<\/b>. The visitors have gathered eight of their 10 points<\/b> on their travels, suggesting the prospect of facing a weakened home side holds genuine appeal. Nevertheless, Levante<\/b>‘s record against Sevilla<\/b> is utterly dire\u2014they’ve lost eight of their last nine matchups and haven’t secured an away victory in this fixture since January 2014<\/b>. That’s over a decade of hurt on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Statistic<\/td>\nSevilla<\/td>\nLevante<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    League Position<\/td>\n10th<\/b><\/td>\n20th<\/b> (Bottom)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Points Earned<\/td>\n20<\/b> from 17 games<\/td>\n10<\/b> from 16 games<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Goals Scored<\/td>\nTBA<\/td>\n17<\/b> in 16 matches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Defensive Record<\/td>\n26<\/b> conceded<\/td>\n29<\/b> conceded (2nd worst)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

    Key Injury Absences Shape Selection Decisions<\/h2>\n

    Sevilla<\/b> face notable availability challenges heading into this matchday. Defender Gabriel Suazo<\/b> is out through injury and unavailable, while Marc\u00e3o<\/b> serves a suspension following his red card against Real Madrid<\/b>. Additionally, both Akor Adams<\/b> and Chidera Ejuke<\/b> are away on AFCON duty with their national teams. Midfielder Ruben Vargas<\/b> requires assessment after picking up a muscular issue, creating further uncertainty in team selection.<\/p>\n

    The absence of these players means Isaac Romero<\/b>, who has four goals<\/b> this season, will likely lead the attack alongside Alexis Sanchez<\/b>. Andres Castrin<\/b> steps in defensively, while Oso<\/b> covers the left-wing-back position. Levante<\/b> meanwhile suffer their own problems\u2014Roger Brugue and Unai Elgezabal<\/b> are sidelined through injury while Manu S\u00e1nchez<\/b> faces suspension. Most significantly, Etta Eyong<\/b>, who has netted six times<\/b> this campaign, misses out due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations<\/b>. Ivan Romero<\/b>, on four goals<\/b> from 15 appearances<\/b>, steps into the vacancy.<\/p>\n

    Can Levante’s Managerial Change Spark Immediate Improvement?<\/h2>\n

    The arrival of new manager Luis Castro<\/b> signifies Levante’s<\/b> desperation for transformation. Coming off their worst league campaign in recent memory, the club needed urgency in the dugout. Castro’s appointment carried hopes that experience could mold a struggling squad into something competitive. However, managing expectations remains critical\u2014one change doesn’t immediately reverse systemic problems.<\/p>\n

    Levante<\/b>‘s defensive vulnerabilities expose their fundamental weakness. With 29 goals conceded<\/b>\u2014the second-worst record in the division\u2014they leak opportunities constantly. While Castro<\/b> may tighten things defensively, the immediate impact against an eager Sevilla<\/b> side seeking redemption seems unlikely. The visitors possess just two wins<\/b> all season and haven’t secured three points since October<\/b>, a drought lasting nearly three months. This stat alone demonstrates the scale of Levante’s<\/b> crisis.<\/p>\n

    Will Sevilla Convert Home Dominance Into Points?<\/h2>\n

    Sevilla<\/b>‘s superior quality favors a comfortable victory, yet their recent performances suggest caution remains warranted. Los Nervionenses sit uncomfortably in 10th place after consecutive defeats, meaning momentum works against them heading into Sunday<\/b>. Levante’s<\/b> away form\u2014gathering eight points on their travels\u2014offers a glimmer of hope that suggests they’ll compete better than their league position implies.<\/p>\n

    The psychological edge belongs to Sevilla<\/b>. Four straight victories over Levante<\/b> instill confidence, while Levante’s<\/b> decade-long away drought in this fixture weighs heavily. Matias Almeyda<\/b>‘s squad simply must translate home advantage and superior personnel into three points. Anything less risks falling further adrift of European qualification places they desperately need to target.<\/p>\n

    \n“Sevilla’s superior quality in attack and home advantage should give them the edge in this match, but Levante could prove tricky on the break.”\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \u2014 WhoScored Analysis<\/b>, La Liga Statistical Preview<\/p>\n

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    Watch: La Liga Matchday 18 Preview<\/h3>\n