The Ciutat de Valencia is about to erupt again as Levante are set to take on giants Real Madrid on the 23rd of September 2025, at 07:30pm (UTC). This is more than just a league game; it is a clash between the motivation of a newly promoted side and the unrelenting nature of English football royalty. Levante will arrive at La Liga after several years of hard work, riding the wave of the ultimate underdog mentality. Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid are in quite phenomenal form and will arrive at the top of the league table with every intention of continuing their dominating league performance.

This is not just two clubs going head-to-head; this is the definition of football's unpredictability, where one counterattack, one defensive mistake, or one moment of genius can shift the entire course of the evening. Moreover, with the make-up of the fixture list, Madrid cannot allow themselves the leisure of underestimating the determination and courage of a team like Levante, especially with their home crowd acting as the twelfth man.

Levante approaches this game with four points following five matches—an uninspiring start to the season that suddenly looks more promising after the 4-0 thrashing of Girona, which finally gave Levante some belief in their squad. For promoted teams, they are nothing without confidence, and their confidence hinged on their routine and league-opening performance. Levante's game against Girona proved they can do damage to teams when they are able to create chances for themselves.

Real Madrid, of course, is awash in confidence. Five straight wins in La Liga, plus an emphatic opener in the Champions League against Marseille, have Xabi Alonso's squad enveloped in swagger. They have another attack with the goals coming from Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius is dazzling in midfield, and Thibaut Courtois is conserving his posts, making them a formidable force. Yet football reminds us constantly—David can still swing a stone onto Goliath's head.

Levante's return to the top of Spanish soccer has not been all glory. Losses to Alavés, Barcelona, and Elche all tested their mentality, but the heartening tie with Real Betis and now their Guyona performance outline their goals: they are intending to be a combative club.

Pivotal players like Ivan Romero and Etta Eyong have become talismans in attack, and Carlos Alvarez has been an impetuous spark of creativity. Manager Julián Calero has led a team that thrives through rapid transitions, pressing high when the opportunity allows; they eat off the enthusiasm of their home fans.

Their last home clash with Madrid back in 2021 produced a thrilling 3-3 draw—that memory can only add to their motivation walking into this game, with nothing to lose and everything to prove.

When Xabi Alonso took over, some followers were sceptical if his tactical and organising mind could lead a Madrid dressing room full of stars. They were clearly wrong, assuming they needed to ask the question; Alonso's Madrid is compact defensively, fluid in the midfield, and ruthless in attack—they have won all six of their opening games in all competitions.

The arrival of Kylian Mbappé adds an even more elusive and lethal aspect to players like Valverde, Tchouaméni, and Vinícius Jr., who are complementing his brilliance. The injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, and Ferland Mendy are setbacks, but Madrid's depth of squad is one of the best in world football.

The measure of Alonso's true potential, though, lies not in the results of a matchup against Girona or Osasuna, but rather in being consistent against teams of energetic underdogs like Levante. This is how titles are won.

During the last decade, Levante has surprisingly proven to be a difficult opponent for Real Madrid. In their last 10 matches, Real Madrid have lost or drawn (3-3-3). Although the Valencian side has always been a challenge to get past, especially playing in Valencia.

However, in the two teams’ last meeting in May 2022, there was no balance, as Real Madrid smashed Levante 6-0, with Vinícius Jr scoring three goals that day. This brings an intriguing history to the matchup; Levante knows they can frustrate Madrid, while Madrid knows they can embarrass Levante if they play well. 

Levante's bright spot, and best bet, is Iván Romero, who will be chomping at the bit to capitalise on any mistakes. The defending defenders Militão and Huijsen have to be extra vigilant to prevent Romero from sneaking in behind.

No doubt the speed of Mbappé up against Jeremy Toljan will define the match. Over two legs in a short time span, Madrid clearly can tire, and if the French international finds spaces, Levante may have the best of him too late in the match.

The compact midfield of three from Levante will look to break Madrid's momentum. But with Valverde's energy and Tchouaméni's third-man football, Madrid will look to dominate possession and break through the Levante line.

For punters looking for a safe option that returns well, there would be no better bet than Madrid to win and over 2.5 goals.

Football is about moments. Madrid may happen to have every penny under the sun and Mbappé, but Levante have heart and fans who will believe in them. Every tackle, every sprint, every counter will be laced with the want to write their own story against the giants.

Real Madrid, however, is like a machine. It feels like they will score, and the only variation will be when. With everything that is thought of tactically from Alonso, along with the brilliance of Mbappé, it seems inevitable to get something. Levante is sure to excite their supporters with a goal, but in the end, this is Madrid, and they should be able to escape.

• Prediction: Levante 1 - 3 Real Madrid

Levante will approach this meeting knowing in the past they have frustrated Madrid. But this is not the same Madrid and this is Madrid with the tactical clarity of Alonso and the ruthlessness brought by Madrid. For Levante, scoring will be a victory; for Madrid, nothing short of three points will be satisfactory in their march towards the La Liga title again.