- Levante's direct style could expose Malaga CF.
- Malaga CF have failed to beat Levante in two matches since the start of LaLiga 2024/2025.
Málaga could be a little too negative
The pressure is already on Malaga CF after a poor start to the LaLiga 2026/2027 campaign. Los Bichos currently sit 19th in the table with 1 point from 3 matches, with Juan Funes' men yet to register a win. Sunday's opponents Levante are 9th and have taken 4 points from 3 matches. This will be a very tough test for the hosts, who will be desperate to record their first win of the season.
Malaga CF have 0 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats in their last 5 matches in all competitions, with their last 3 LaLiga 2026/2027 results reading: 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid, 1-1 draw at home to Deportivo A Coruna and a 4-0 defeat at Real Madrid. Levante have had a mixed start to the season with 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats in their last 5, with the last 3 results reading: 3-0 loss at RCD Espanyol, 0-0 draw at Osasuna and a 5-2 win at home to Real Betis.
Direct Levante style will test Malaga
Juan Funes has led Malaga CF since 19 November 2025, and has built a young, energetic team that sets up in a 4-3-3 formation with high-energy wide players and a high press. Luis Castro's Levante are a much slower side, but also compact and pragmatic, sitting in a mid-block and hitting direct balls down the flanks. Málaga's high-tempo possession game should test Levante's compact shell, especially if the hosts can pin back the full-backs and win second balls early. Levante's slower, direct style could expose Málaga if the home press is bypassed and the game turns scrappy, so it will be interesting to see how Funes' side adapts their strategy.
The verdict
Malaga CF are 2.25 favourites with Levante 3.2 and the draw 3.2. Malaga are clearly the more desperate side, but have not found their first victory of the campaign yet. Levante have had a better start and currently sit higher in the league table, so the odds on this one seem skewed. We're taking Levante to get something here.
Málaga have 0 wins, 1 draw and 0 defeats at home in their one LaLiga 2026/2027 game, while Levante have 1 draw and 1 loss from their two away games. However, Malaga have only scored 1 goal at Estadio La Rosaleda this season, so this should be a low-scoring game. Under 2.5 goals at 1.8 and Both Teams to Score - No at 2.0 both stand out for this game, but we're going to side with the home team to nick it in what should be a close game.
The head-to-head between these two sides over the last 4 meetings is: Levante 2 wins, 2 draws, Malaga CF 0 wins. The sides drew 1-1 in the most recent LaLiga 2 fixture at Estadio La Rosaleda, and Malaga CF have now failed to win 2 games at home to Levante.
