Saturday afternoon at the Santiago Bernabéu will feel heavier than a typical league fixture. Not because of the opponent, but because of the moment. Real Madrid return to La Liga carrying uncertainty, expectation, and a new figure on the touchline. Álvaro Arbeloa will take charge of his first league match as Real Madrid manager, and the margin for error already feels thin.
Madrid enter the weekend sitting second in the table, four points behind Barcelona, a gap that suddenly feels more dangerous after a chaotic start to 2026. Levante, meanwhile, arrive fighting for survival, buried in 19th place but quietly showing signs of life.
A Club Searching for Stability
The year began with little warning of change. Xabi Alonso was still widely backed, until everything unraveled in a matter of days. A dramatic Super Cup defeat to Barcelona was followed almost immediately by his departure, officially described as mutual. Arbeloa, a former Madrid stalwart with deep ties to the club, was handed the responsibility of steadying the ship.
His first outing ended painfully. A Copa del Rey elimination at the hands of Albacete exposed defensive fragility and mental lapses, issues that have surfaced too often this season. That loss, however, also came with heavy rotation, and Saturday will offer the first true glimpse of Arbeloa’s strongest version of this team.
There is little time for patience at Real Madrid. La Liga remains within reach, but only if momentum is rebuilt quickly. With Champions League qualification for the knockout rounds also looming later this month, every match now carries added weight.
Bernabéu Form vs Levante’s Fight
Despite recent turbulence, Madrid’s home record in La Liga remains formidable. Eight wins from nine matches at the Bernabéu underline how difficult they still are to stop in familiar surroundings. Levante’s away form tells a different story, with just 11 points collected on the road.
Yet context matters. Levante arrive unbeaten in three league matches, having taken points against Real Sociedad and Espanyol, and delivering an eye-catching 3–0 victory over Sevilla. Since Luis Castro took charge in late December, there is a clearer structure and belief within the squad.
History heavily favors Madrid. The last two meetings ended in emphatic scorelines, but Levante will remember their shock win in the capital in 2021. More importantly, they know this version of Real Madrid is still finding its footing.
Team News and Selection Focus
Arbeloa is expected to restore his senior figures after widespread rotation midweek. Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior, and Aurélien Tchouaméni are all set to return, instantly raising the quality level across the pitch.
There are still absences to manage. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Brahim Díaz, and Ferland Mendy remain unavailable, while Antonio Rüdiger faces a late fitness check. Dani Carvajal’s return could be significant, allowing Federico Valverde to operate in midfield rather than filling in at right-back.
Levante travel without Roger Brugué, Unai Elgezabal, and Víctor García, but otherwise arrive close to full strength. Etta Eyong is expected to return to the starting eleven after AFCON commitments, while Iván Romero continues to be their most reliable attacking outlet.
Tactical Outlook
Madrid’s priority will be control. The midfield balance has been questioned since Toni Kroos’ departure, and Arbeloa’s first league test will revolve around reconnecting defense to attack more cleanly. Expect a higher tempo, more direct transitions, and heavy reliance on individual quality in the final third.
Levante will likely sit compact, absorb pressure, and look to exploit moments of hesitation. Their recent form suggests they are capable of punishing mistakes, especially if Madrid grow impatient.
Prediction: Real Madrid vs Levante
This is not a match Real Madrid can afford to mismanage. The atmosphere, the pressure, and the narrative all demand a response.
Levante should make it competitive, particularly early on, but Madrid’s firepower and home strength should ultimately decide the contest.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3–0 Levante
Not perfect, not effortless, but enough to steady the Arbeloa era and keep the title race alive.
Hi, this is a comment.
To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.
Pingback: Real Madrid and Vinícius Júnior Contract Talks - SPORTgage.com