Sevilla FC Must “Add Points and Build on Good Feelings” Against Levante — Pressure Mounts at Ramón Sánchez‑Pizjuán

Seville, Spain — Sevilla FC face a crucial LaLiga match against Levante UD on January 4, 2026, with pressure mounting on the Andalusian club to convert recent good performances into valuable points as the season resumes after the winter break.

According to a preview published by ABC’s Spanish sports section, Sevilla enter this fixture determined to deliver a result that reflects their improved morale and addresses growing concerns about their league position.

The game, set for the iconic Estadio Ramón Sánchez‑Pizjuán, opens Sevilla’s 2026 league campaign. It pits a club striving to escape inconsistency against a struggling Levante side desperate for survival. With both teams facing very different pressures, this duel underscores the competitive tension at both ends of the LaLiga table. Al Aire Libre

Sevilla’s Urgent Need for Points

Sevilla come into the match with a sense of urgency, having hung around the mid‑table zone with ambitions of shoring up their league status and potentially pushing toward European qualification spots later in the season.

According to pre‑match reports, Sevilla have struggled for consistent results, with recent LaLiga form that includes losses and draws interspersed with occasional wins. That inconsistency has left them closer to the relegation zone than fans would like — only a handful of points above the drop places as the season enters a pivotal phase.

The ABC report stresses Sevilla’s internal belief that recent performances have shown good signs, even if those improvements have not always translated directly into victories. Tactical cohesion, committed pressing and flashes of attacking flair have kept optimism alive among supporters and coaching staff alike. But now, as Levante visit Nervión, the club’s priority is clear: turn positive play into tangible league points.

Lineups and Tactical Context

Sevilla’s squad for the game reflects ongoing challenges with squad depth. The team are coping with absences through injury and suspension, meaning coach Matías Almeyda must balance fitness, tactical structure and attacking output.

Confirmed lineups from multiple sources indicate the hosts lining up with a reshaped backline and key figures in midfield and attack tasked with creating chances and stabilising the team’s play.

Alexis Sánchez, the experienced Chilean forward, is expected to be influential in attack, providing leadership and goal‑threat from the front — a feature noted in pre‑match previews emphasizing Sevilla’s need for experienced performers to step up.

Levante, on the other hand, enter the fixture with Luis Castro making his debut as head coach. Positioned at the very bottom of LaLiga — as the only club yet to escape the relegation zone — Levante’s outlook is bleak, and points are a necessity if they are to have any chance of survival. Their recent results suggest defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of goal production, giving Sevilla a clear statistical edge.

Stakes for Both Teams

For Sevilla, the Levante match represents more than just three points. It’s a psychological opportunity to:

• Boost confidence at home, especially after mixed results in 2025.
• Reinforce tactical identity, with pressing transitions and wide attacking play figuring prominently in the previews.
• Reduce pressure on defence and midfield cohesion, which have occasionally been problematic in recent fixtures.

Levante’s predicament paints a contrasting picture. As the team with only 10 points from their first 16 LaLiga matches, they are rooted at the foot of the table, struggling for results and seeking any positive momentum that might stave off relegation fears. A draw or upset in Seville would represent a massive confidence boost and potentially spark a turnaround in their season.

This dynamic — Sevilla needing to prove progress, Levante needing to rescue their campaign — ensures that the match is charged with significance far beyond a typical league fixture.

Head‑to‑Head and Historical Edge

Historically, Sevilla have enjoyed the upper hand against Levante in LaLiga clashes, securing a majority of wins over recent seasons and dominating home meetings. Statistical records show that Sevilla have frequently capitalised against Levante in prior campaigns, with solid winning margins and offensive efficiency. This historical trend adds to Sevilla’s confidence ahead of kickoff, yet also reminds them not to underestimate an opponent fighting for survival.

Fans, Atmosphere and Additional Factors

Despite some frustrations in 2025, Sevilla fans remain passionate and expectant. Home support at the Ramón Sánchez‑Pizjuán — even amid criticism — can provide a critical boost. Reports also note off‑pitch developments, including fan group announcements that might even affect stadium atmosphere and supporter organisation during the match.

For Levante, away crowds are likely smaller, but their urgency is palpable. The team’s need for points makes them unpredictable; defensive mistakes by Sevilla could offer Levante rare opportunities. For Almeyda’s side, maintaining concentration and converting their chances early could be decisive.

Predictions and Tactical Outlook

Pre‑match analysis and statistical forecasts from betting and preview sites reinforce Sevilla as favourites — largely because of their statistical dominance in head‑to‑head fixtures and superior home form. Sevilla are expected to control much of possession and territory, using width and midfield progression to break down Levante’s compact defence.

Levante, under new management, may approach the game with an emphasis on organisation and counter‑pressing, hoping for moments of quick transition to catch Sevilla off guard. But given their scoring struggles and defensive record this season, Levante face an uphill challenge to secure a positive result.

What a Sevilla Win Would Mean

If Sevilla secure the expected victory:

• They alleviate pressure from a worrying league position.
• They build momentum for a stretch of upcoming home fixtures — crucial as the season progresses.
• They reward fan patience with a performance that matches on‑pitch promise with points.

For Levante, however, any slip would deepen their relegation fight and amplify calls for tactical evolution and possibly further squad changes in January. Al Aire Libre

Summary

Sevilla FC host Levante UD in a pivotal LaLiga matchup on January 4, 2026, where the hosts are under pressure to turn positive performances into essential points and steady their league campaign after an inconsistent 2025.

With Levante rooted at the bottom and desperate for survival, the stage is set for a charged battle at the Ramón Sánchez‑Pizjuán. Sevilla’s history of success over Levante and strong home advantage make them favourites, but this match will test Sevilla’s ability to translate “good sensations” into the points that secure greater league stability.