Levante UD are preparing for the major challenge of hosting FC Barcelona in matchday five of LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27, after earning a point at Málaga. Luis Castro's team sits eleventh in the table with five points, having scored and conceded five goals across the first four games, according to verified data.

How is Levante shaping up for the Barcelona match?

As per the match report from Diario AS, Levante UD secured a valuable goalless draw in their visit to the Estadio La Rosaleda on September 6th. Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan was key, saving a penalty taken by Chupe in the eighth minute during a first half dominated by Málaga. After the break, the Levante side improved and came close to scoring through a Nacho Pérez effort that required a superb stop from home keeper Alfonso Herrero.

That result leaves Levante with one win, two draws, and one loss to start the season. Their next fixture is precisely against Barcelona, this Sunday, September 13th at the Ciutat de Valencia. The Blaugrana arrive as the outright leaders with a perfect record, posing a huge test for a Levante side aiming to solidify a mid-table position in the standings.

What are the details for the Barcelona clash?

Goal.com provided a detailed preview of the match, scheduled for September 13th at 14:15 GMT. Barcelona travel to Valencia after thrashing Valencia CF 5-0 at Mestalla, with an attack led by an in-form Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Levante's objective will be to stop that offensive machine and make the most of home advantage.

The team managed by Hansi Flick holds a seven-point lead over Levante in the table. The match represents an opportunity for the granotas to measure themselves against the league's best team so far. Castro's squad will need full concentration for 90 minutes to counteract their rival's possession-based superiority.

How are Levante's loaned players performing?

Plaza Deportiva offered a weekly update on the status of players Levante UD have out on loan at other clubs. Centre-back Martín Krug started in Juventud Torremolinos CF's 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid Castilla, thus beginning his season. Meanwhile, winger Tay Abed came off the bench in Real Valladolid's victory, and goalkeeper Dani Martín was not in his team's matchday squad.

These loan moves are part of the club's strategy to give their young talents competitive minutes. Monitoring their performance is key for the club's medium and long-term sporting planning, information fans can check on the official squad page.

What is Levante's relationship with Villarreal?

The website Mundo Levante UD detailed the close player-exchange relationship maintained by Levante UD and Villarreal CF in recent years. This summer, that collaboration materialised with the loan arrivals of midfielder Dani Requena and Argentine winger Thiago Fernández. They join a list of footballers who have worn both shirts.

One of the most notable cases is Vicente Iborra, who first arrived on loan from the Yellow Submarine in the 2022/23 season and later returned to retire as a Levante player. Other names like Dela and Sergio Lozano are also part of this history of transfers and loans between the two clubs from the Valencian Community.

What is the situation with Etta Eyong's absence?

Cameroonian striker Etta Eyong, whose signing was made permanent by Levante last summer for 3.8 million euros according to Mundo Levante UD, is currently recovering from a muscle injury. Despite rumours of a potential transfer, the player rejected all offers and remains at the club, though he is currently unavailable for Luis Castro.

His absence is felt in an attack that has scored five league goals. Eyong's recovery will be a significant boost for the team's offensive options, which already has absentees in a squad seeking balance. Details on the status of the injuries list are constantly updated.

Levante UD, with those five points on the board, faces a decisive week with the match against Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia on Sunday, September 13th.