Levante UD travel to La Rosaleda to face Málaga CF this Saturday in matchday 4 of LaLiga EA Sports. The match, kicking off at 18:30, presents another test for Luis Castro's side, who arrive ninth in the table with 4 points after an uneven start to the campaign. Sport.es first reported the story.
The granotes head into the clash following a 5-2 thrashing of Real Betis in their last outing. That victory gave them their first win of the season, after losing their opener to Espanyol and drawing 0-0 with Osasuna. With 5 goals scored and 5 conceded, their goal difference is level, a stat the manager will look to improve in Málaga. As reported by Sport.es, Málaga coach Juanfran Funes acknowledged the opponent's progress: "El Levante ha ido de menos a más, tanto en resultados como en juego" (Levante have been improving, both in results and in play).
What is Málaga CF's situation ahead of the match?
Málaga CF host Levante in their second home game since returning to the top flight. Their La Rosaleda debut was on 24 August, a 1-1 draw with Deportivo de La Coruña where Chupe scored the equaliser from the penalty spot. With just one point from three matches, the Andalusian side are desperate for their first win. The situation is worsened by a lengthy injury list. Julen Lobete has suffered a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee, an injury requiring surgery that will keep him out for most of the season. Aarón Ochoa also needs surgery for an issue with the external meniscus of his right knee. Adrián Niño is in a phase of progressive reintegration, while Fernando Calero and Diego Murillo remain outside the main training group.
What reinforcements does Málaga have for this clash?
Despite the transfer window closing, Málaga CF added three players who are now available for Juanfran Funes. Adam Aznou, Juan Berrocal and Jens Cajuste joined the squad. The arrival of Swedish midfielder Cajuste is seen as particularly important for bolstering the centre of the park. Meanwhile, Berrocal provides more options in the defensive line. These signings come at a critical time to mitigate the injury crisis and try to change their fortunes. Fans can check the full status of the squad on our site.
What is the context of Levante's season?
Levante UD currently sit ninth in LaLiga EA Sports with 4 points, from one win, one draw and one loss. Their recent form is reflected in the sequence of results: win, draw, loss. With 5 goals scored and 5 conceded, the team shows both attacking potency and some defensive fragility. In the title race, the granotes are 5 points behind leaders Barcelona. This fact underlines the importance of taking three points from matches like the one in Málaga to avoid falling off the pace. The up-to-date table can be followed on our standings page.
The schedule offers no respite for Levante. After the match at La Rosaleda, their next league fixture is a top-tier challenge: hosting FC Barcelona at home on 13 September 2026. Barça, the current league leaders, will visit Levante's stadium in what will be a demanding test. The details of this and all upcoming matches are available in our fixtures calendar.
