Espanyol Barcelona vs Levante UD 16 August 2026 Prediction

Levante open their new La Liga season with a difficult road game. The Valencia side has not won at Espanyol since 2020 and arrives in Barcelona with a significantly revamped squad after adding 11 players this summer. The opener will provide an early indication of how quickly manager Luis Castro has integrated the new arrivals.

Espanyol Working on Defensive Issues

Espanyol made a solid start to preseason, conceding just once in their first three matches. However, the opposition consisted of lower-division teams from Spain and France. Defensive problems became more apparent during the final stage of preparations in England. Espanyol allowed eight goals in three games: two against Burnley (2-2), three against Middlesbrough (3-3), and three more against newly promoted Premier League side Coventry (1-3). The club is still looking to strengthen at center back, with Zenit defender Vanja Drkušić among the options under consideration.

Espanyol focused on replacing departing players this summer. After Romero returned to Villarreal, the club brought in Burnley left back Quilindschy Hartman on loan. He has Champions League experience. Unai Núñez arrived on loan from Celta Vigo to replace Calero in central defense, while 20-year-old Gabriel Moscardo joined the midfield from PSG after spending last season with Braga. The most significant absences ahead of the opener are in attack. Puado and Kike García, the team’s leading scorer last season, are both injured. Sporting director Monchi estimates that the squad is about 85% complete, so further transfer activity is expected.

Levante’s Rebuilt Squad

Levante finished preseason in solid form. The Valencia side beat Albacete 2-1 in August before producing a competitive performance in a 1-0 loss to third-place La Liga finisher Villarreal. After that match, Cadena SER highlighted Levante’s defensive organization and threat on the counterattack. The visitors then closed out preseason with a convincing 3-1 victory over Castellón. At his pregame press conference, Castro also gave a positive assessment of the team’s preparations and said he was satisfied with its condition ahead of the new season.

Levante’s squad changed substantially over the summer. The biggest departure was Carlos Espí, who was sold to Real Madrid for €25 million. The loan spells of center backs Matías Moreno and Alan Matturro also ended, forcing the club to rebuild its defensive unit. Levante added experience in central defense by signing Aïssa Mandi, who has made more than 300 La Liga appearances. The club also signed 19-year-old forward Yanis Musuayi and brought in midfielder Thiago Fernández on loan from Villarreal shortly before the start of the season. One of the captains, Roger Brugué, will miss the opener through suspension.

Espanyol vs Levante Predicted Lineup

Espanyol (4-2-3-1): Dmitrović; El Hilali, Núñez, Cabrera, Hartman; U. González, Expósito; Dolan, J. Hernández, Calatrava; R. Fernández

Unavailable: Puado, Kike García (both injured)

Manager: Manolo González

Levante (4-3-3): Ryan; Toljan, Dela, Mandi, M. Sánchez; Rey, Olasagasti, Requena; V. García, Romero, Cortés

Unavailable: Brugué (suspended)

Manager: Luis Castro

Espanyol vs Levante Prediction: Espanyol to Win

Main prediction: Espanyol is favored because of its home-field advantage and greater squad continuity. Levante underwent a major overhaul this summer, adding 11 players who still need time to adjust to one another and Castro’s system. Despite a respectable preseason, Levante regularly allowed opponents to score and kept only one clean sheet. The recent head-to-head record in Barcelona also favors the hosts. Espanyol is unbeaten in its last three home games against Levante, winning twice. The main selection is Espanyol to win at 2.05.

Goals prediction: Espanyol ended preseason with clear defensive problems, conceding eight goals across its final three matches. Levante is also rebuilding the center of its defense following the departures of Moreno and Matturro. The Valencia side recorded only one clean sheet in six summer friendlies. Both teams scored in six of the last seven head-to-head meetings, making Both Teams to Score: Yes at 1.97 a reasonable secondary selection.