Preview:Alaves vs Levante - prediction, team news, lineups

Segunda Division champions Levante will begin life back in Spain's top flight with a trip to Alaves on Saturday.

The visitors are back in La Liga following a three-year absence, while the hosts have room for improvement this season, with the Basque outfit finishing 15th in Spain's top flight last term, just two points clear of the bottom three.

Match preview

Alaves boasted a record of 10 wins, 12 draws and 16 defeats from their 38 league matches last season, with a total of 42 points leaving them in 15th, only two points clear of the relegation zone.

The Blue and Whites are in their third straight season at this level, while they have been present in La Liga in nine of their last 10 campaigns, so it is a very successful period in the club's history.

Eduardo Coudet's side played five times during pre-season, boasting a record of two wins, one draw and two defeats, and they will enter this match off the back of a goalless stalemate with Eibar.

Alaves have made seven signings this summer, while there have been a whole host of departures, so there will be a fresh look to the squad this season, which was much needed.

The Basque outfit last faced Levante in La Liga in May 2022, with the latter recording a 3-1 victory, but Alaves lead the overall head-to-head record between the two sides with 16 wins to eight.

Levante were relegated from La Liga at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, spending three years in the Segunda Division, before securing a return to the top flight courtesy of their championship success in 2024-25.

The Frogs won 22, drew 11 and lost seven of their 42 league matches last season to win the title, but they were only four points clear of third-placed Real Oviedo, who managed to secure promotion through the playoffs.

Julian Calero's side won three of their six pre-season friendlies, including a 2-0 victory over Auxerre last weekend, so they will enter their first game of the new campaign off the back of a strong result.

Levante have made eight signings during this summer's transfer window, with Jon Ander Olasagasti a notable arrival from Real Sociedad, while centre-back Matias Moreno has also joined from Fiorentina.

The team's biggest departure this summer has been Giorgi Kochorashvili, with the midfielder making the move to Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth £4.7m.

Alaves pre-season form:

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Levante pre-season form:

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Team News

Alaves have not reported any injury concerns ahead of this match, so head coach Coudet could have a full squad to choose from, meaning that difficult decisions will need to be made in terms of his XI.

There are expected to be some new signings on display, including former Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz, who has made the move to Alaves on a free transfer this summer.

Carles Alena, Jonny Otto and Pablo Ibanez should also make their debuts for the club this weekend.

As for Levante, Olasgasti, Alfonso Pastor and Kervin Arriaga are out of the match due to injury issues, while Goduine Koyalipou, Matias Moreno, Alan Matturro and Carlos Alvarez face late fitness tests.

Roger Brugue had an excellent 2024-25 campaign for the Segunda Division champions, scoring 11 times in 37 appearances, and he will feature in the final third of the field.

There is also expected to be a start for Ivan Romero, who netted nine times last term, while Jeremy Toljan and Koyalipou are set to be among those to make their debuts.

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Sivera; Jonny, Tenaglia, Garces, Enriquez; Ibanez, Blanco; Vicente, Guridi, Alena; Diaz

Levante possible starting lineup:

Cunat; Elgezabal, Fuente, Cabello; Toljan, Martinez, Rey, Sanchez; Romero, Koyalipou, Brugue

We say: Alaves 1-0 Levante

Alaves are expected to be in the relegation mix with Levante this season, so these matches are incredibly important; it would not be a surprise to see a draw, but we believe that a tight game will ultimately end with Alaves securing all three points.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.