Levante UD vs Athletic Bilbao 21 October 2026 Prediction

The rescheduled La Liga Matchday 6 fixture features two teams in contrasting form. Levante are looking to end a lengthy winless run, while Athletic Club have improved after a poor start. The Basque side have struggled in attack, and several potential absences could make matters worse.

Levante Still Struggling in Defense

After a 5-2 win over Real Betis, Levante's form declined. The Valencia-based side are winless in their last five league matches, conceding 11 goals during that stretch. Defense remains their main problem, regularly undermining the work of the attack. Levante have been productive at home, scoring 10 goals in three league games this season, an average of 3.33 per 90 minutes. Their offense now faces a difficult test against one of the league's strongest defensive teams.

Levante have no major new injury concerns. Midfielder Hugo Sotelo and backup goalkeeper Alejandro Primo remain sidelined. Forward Karl Etta Eyong is getting closer to returning and has resumed partial training with the first team. His availability for this match remains uncertain, but his return would strengthen an attack that has already performed well at home.

Athletic Club Prioritizes Defensive Stability

After losing their first two league matches, Athletic Club improved and went unbeaten in the next five. Their defense has been the main reason for that run. The Basque side conceded only once and recorded four clean sheets. However, goals have been difficult to find recently. Edin Terzic's team scored only once in its last three matches, while the games against Alaves and Valencia both ended 0-0. Levante's defensive problems give Athletic Club an opportunity to improve those attacking numbers.

Several absences could complicate that task. Attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet will miss the match with a soleus injury. Nico Williams has returned to team training and could make the squad, although his availability remains uncertain. Gorka Guruzeta injured his knee against Valencia and had to leave the field early. He is also unlikely to play. Terzic could therefore be without several important attacking players, adding to the team's scoring concerns.

Levante vs Athletic Club Predicted Lineup

Levante (4-1-4-1): Ryan; Toljan, De la Fuente, Mandi, M. Sánchez; Rey; V. García, Olasagasti, Bardeli, Fernández; I. Romero

Team News: Primo, Sotelo (injured); Eyong (doubtful)

Manager: Luís Castro

Athletic Club (4-2-3-1): Simón; Areso, Paredes, Laporte, Berchiche; De Galarreta, Jauregizar; Navarro, Canales, Berenguer; I. Williams

Team News: Sancet, Egiluz (injured); N. Williams, Guruzeta, Louis-Jean (doubtful)

Manager: Edin Terzic

Referee: Alejandro Quintero González

Quintero González has officiated three La Liga matches this season, averaging 3.0 yellow cards and 25.56 fouls per game. His yellow-card average is down from 5.0 last season. However, he has already shown two red cards and awarded two penalties in those three appearances.

Levante vs Athletic Club Prediction: Athletic Club to Win

Main Prediction: Athletic Club are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings with Levante across all competitions, winning seven of those matches inside 90 minutes. They also enter this game on a five-match unbeaten run, with four clean sheets during that stretch. Levante, by contrast, have gone five games without a win and conceded 11 goals. Based on the difference in defensive form and the head-to-head record, the pick is Athletic Club to win at 2.18.

Goals Prediction: Despite their recent scoring problems, Athletic Club can take advantage of a Levante defense that has conceded 11 goals in five matches. Levante have also scored at least twice in each of their three home league games this season. Those fixtures produced 19 total goals, an average of 6.33 per game. In addition, two of the last three head-to-head meetings featured at least four goals. The secondary pick is over 2.5 goals at 1.92.