24 Aug 2026

Osasuna vs Levante preview: form, XIs, key stats

Round 2 of LaLiga 26/27 heads to Pamplona as Osasuna welcome Levante UD to Estadio El Sadar. The ground’s tight angles and 23,576 voices usually make this a proper test for visitors. With early-season rhythm still forming, both sides will look to plant a marker in a balanced matchup. You can follow live build-up, lineups and match momentum on the Sofascore event page here, and track the broader picture across the LaLiga season here. Let’s break down the trends, the recent head-to-head, and the players who can swing it.

Setting the scene at El Sadar

Osasuna enter this one aiming to snap a three-match run without a win, and they have also conceded in five straight. That defensive note gives the night a clear subplot in front of home fans. Levante arrive under Luís Castro with their own checklist, starting with stability at the back after a tough opening outing. Luis Miguel Ramis has Osasuna structured and athletic, and El Sadar often rewards teams who manage the game’s first 20 minutes. The visitors must find a foothold early to quiet the stands.

On paper this is a tight fixture. The historical split between these clubs is nearly even, and that usually translates to fine margins. Small wins in duels, second balls and set-play delivery often decide meetings like this. With both teams trending toward fewer cards in recent games, we might get a clean tactical contest rather than a stop-start battle.

Form guide and trends

Osasuna’s recent streaks point to a mixed picture. They have gone three without a win and have been first to concede in four of their last five. Even so, both teams have scored in four of those five, which hints at a more open pattern once the match settles. Another consistent marker is discipline, with fewer than 4.5 cards in seven of their last eight, and fewer than 10.5 corners in six straight.

Levante’s indicators lean in a different direction. They have gone four matches without a clean sheet and six of their last eight have seen over 2.5 goals. Yet their card trend is calm, with fewer than 4.5 cards in ten straight. In their first LaLiga match this season, they managed 392 passes at 84.7 percent accuracy but produced only four shots and zero on target. The xG was 0.187, so chance creation needs a lift.

There were positives, though. Levante won 55.6 percent of their duels, tackled well with 21 total, and cleared their lines 21 times. That speaks to defensive commitment, even if they conceded three from 16 shots faced. If they can retain the duel intensity and add a bit more punch in the final third, the away side will feel more comfortable.

Head-to-head snapshot

The recent balance between Osasuna and Levante is about as even as it gets: four wins each and two draws across the latest batch of meetings. The last two finished with split results. Levante won the more recent clash 3-2 at home, while Osasuna took the previous game 2-0 at El Sadar. That home shutout also nudges a familiar trend in this matchup.

Across the last seven head-to-heads, Osasuna were the first to score in six. Levante have also gone three straight in this duel without a clean sheet. If you like rhythm markers, fewer than 4.5 cards landed in five of the last six, and fewer than 10.5 corners hit in six of the last seven between these sides. Expect tight margins, controlled aggression and careful set pieces. A single quality delivery or second-phase strike could tilt it.

Tactics and expected lineups

Lineups are not confirmed at the time of writing, but the projected shapes are familiar. Osasuna are listed in a 4-2-3-1 that highlights balance between a strong spine and mobile attackers. Sergio Herrera is slated in goal, with a back four of Iñigo Arguibide, Enzo Boyomo, Alejandro Catena and Abel Bretones. The double pivot features Iker Muñoz next to Jon Moncayola, giving protection and distribution.

Higher up, Rubén García and Raúl Moro operate either side of Aimar Oroz, who handles much of the creative traffic. Ante Budimir leads the line and offers a clear outlet for early crosses and set plays. The combination of Oroz between the lines and Budimir’s target work can pin back full-backs and open space for late midfield runners. If Osasuna start well, that triangle is often the reason.

Levante’s projected 4-3-3 puts Mathew Ryan in goal behind Jeremy Toljan, Adrián de la Fuente, Aïssa Mandi and Manuel Sánchez. The midfield three of Jon Ander Olasagasti, Oriol Rey and Enzo Bardeli should focus on structure and progression. Up front, Víctor García and Roger Brugué flank Iván Romero, who can drag center-backs wide to free half-spaces. Levante’s first match showed reliable ball retention but limited penetration. More purposeful wide play and better timing on the third-man run would help.

Players to watch

Osasuna’s featured player is Enzo Boyomo, highlighted on Sofascore as the squad’s highest market value pick with an estimated €14.6m. He is presented on that basis because the team has not yet logged competition statistics this season. The center-back’s presence matters in light of Osasuna’s recent streak without a clean sheet. If he controls the box and organizes the line, that trend can shift at home. Boyomo’s role in first-contact duels and clearances will be under the microscope.

For Levante, the spotlight falls on Nacho Pérez, who opened his LaLiga campaign with a Sofascore Rating of 7.3. In 76 minutes he produced 2 key passes, 4 tackles and 3 clearances, while winning 87.5 percent of his total duels. He completed 82.1 percent of his passes, sent 1 accurate long ball and 1 accurate cross, and recorded 54 touches. Those numbers point to a defender comfortable stepping into play and defending wide areas. If he maintains that two-way edge, Levante’s right side becomes a strength. Keep an eye on his timing in tackles and how often he can progress the ball past the first press.

As always, you can track individual performance swings in real time on Sofascore, from passing maps to live Sofascore Ratings, on the match page. With the head-to-head so balanced, one standout display from a defender can be the quiet difference.