As Barcelona gear up to host Levante on February 22, 2026, in La Liga, the encounter highlights contrasting ambitions in the 2025/2026 season. Barcelona sit comfortably in second place with 58 points from 24 matches, firmly in the title race, while Levante languish in 19th with 18 points, battling to avoid relegation. This match could prove pivotal for both teams' seasonal objectives.
Barcelona's recent form has been mixed, with two losses in their last five outings: a 2-1 defeat to Girona on February 16, followed by wins against Mallorca (3-0 on February 7), Elche (3-1 on January 31), and Real Oviedo (3-0 on January 25), and another loss to Real Sociedad (2-1 on January 18). Levante, on the other hand, have struggled, suffering defeats in their most recent matches: 0-2 against Valencia on February 15 and 4-2 against Athletic Club on February 8, underscoring their challenges in securing positive results.
Key players for Barcelona include Ferrán Torres, who leads the team with 12 goals, and Lamine Yamal, contributing 10 goals and eight assists. However, injuries could impact their lineup, with Eric García, Marcus Rashford, Pedri, Gavi, and Christensen all sidelined due to various issues. Levante face their own absences, including U. Elgezabal with physical discomfort, Pablo Martínez with a leg injury, Roger Brugué with a ligament problem, and K. Arriaga due to disciplinary reasons, potentially weakening their squad depth.
In terms of head-to-head encounters, Barcelona edged out Levante 3-2 in their last meeting on August 23, 2025, giving the Catalan side a recent edge. With limited tactical insights available, this historical result may influence expectations, as Barcelona's strong league position suggests a more dominant approach compared to Levante's defensive struggles.
Looking ahead, Barcelona's superior form and standing make them likely favorites, but Levante could mount a resilient challenge given their relegation fight. The outcome leans towards a Barcelona victory, yet the match's unpredictability means anything is possible on the day.
