If you’d asked any Madridista a week ago about the Real Madrid next game La Liga fixture, they probably would’ve yawned. Levante at the Bernabéu? On paper, it’s a banker. A routine Saturday afternoon to rotate the squad before the Champions League returns. But football in Madrid moves fast. One week you're chasing a treble, the next you're staring at a "fin de ciclo" headline in Marca.
Things have gone south. Quickly.
The shock departure of Xabi Alonso has left the club in a weird sort of limbo. Álvaro Arbeloa is now the man in the hot seat, and his debut was, to put it mildly, a disaster. Losing to Albacete in the Copa del Rey isn't just a "bad day at the office." It’s a full-blown emergency. Now, the Real Madrid next game La Liga against Levante on Saturday, January 17, 2026, isn't just about three points. It's about stopping the bleeding.
The Arbeloa Era Starts with a Mountain to Climb
Honestly, the vibe around Valdebebas is tense. Arbeloa was supposed to be the safe pair of hands, the bridge between the Castilla youth and the superstars. Instead, he’s walked into a locker room that looks a bit shell-shocked.
The kick-off is set for 2:00 PM CET (8:00 AM EST) this Saturday.
Most people expect a backlash. Real Madrid usually reacts to embarrassment by putting four or five past the next team they see. But Levante isn't exactly a pushover this season, even if they are sitting near the bottom of the table. They’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by kicking a giant while he’s down.
"The first match led by the Merengues' new coach... following the departure of Xabi Alonso." - reports from the ground suggest the players are still adjusting to the tactical shift.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
Will Mbappé Actually Play?
This is the question everyone is asking. Kylian Mbappé has been dealing with some nagging physical discomfort—specifically a left knee sprain—that kept him out of the Albacete debacle. You've probably seen the conflicting reports. Some say he's being saved for the Monaco game on Tuesday. Others say he’s ready to go.
Here is the reality: Mbappé trained normally on Thursday.
Barring a setback in the final Friday session, Arbeloa basically has to play him. You can’t afford to drop more points in the league when Barcelona is already four points clear at the top. The table doesn't lie.
- Barcelona: 49 points (19 games)
- Real Madrid: 45 points (19 games)
- Villarreal: 41 points (18 games)
A four-point gap in January isn't insurmountable, but if that grows to seven because you rested your best player against Levante, the fans will start calling for heads. It's a high-stakes gamble. Arbeloa needs a "statement" win to prove he isn't just a temporary fix.
The Injury Ward is Crowded
It’s not just Mbappé. The medical report at Real Madrid is starting to look like a grocery list.
- Rodrygo: Dealing with hamstring issues. He did individual work on Thursday, but starting him seems risky.
- David Alaba: Still the veteran presence, but the backline has looked shaky without consistent partners.
- Dani Carvajal: Long-term knee concerns mean he's managed carefully.
- Éder Militão: Still out with that tendon injury, though he’s looking at a late January return.
Without Militão and with Rüdiger also working through knee discomfort, the defense is vulnerable. Levante's attackers will be looking at those gaps with a lot of interest. Basically, the "Invincible" aura has some cracks in it right now.
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
Tactics: What Changes Under Arbeloa?
We saw a glimpse of it against Albacete, and it wasn't pretty. Arbeloa seems to want a more rigid structure than Alonso’s fluid system. He likes the defensive shape to be compact. But when you have players like Vinícius Júnior and Arda Güler, you sort of have to let them off the leash.
Expect a 4-3-3 that looks more like a 4-4-2 when defending.
Valverde is the engine. If he’s fit, he plays. If he’s not, the midfield loses its soul. Camavinga and Tchouameni will likely anchor the center to provide some much-needed protection for a back four that has kept only one clean sheet in their last nine outings. That is a staggering statistic for a club of this stature. One clean sheet in nine. Honestly, it's pathetic by Madrid standards.
Why This Specific Match Matters for the Title Race
If you look at the Real Madrid next game La Liga schedule, the road doesn't get easier. After Levante, they travel to the Estadio de la Cerámica to face a red-hot Villarreal on January 24.
Villarreal is only four points behind Madrid with a game in hand.
If Madrid slips against Levante and then loses to Villarreal, they could theoretically drop to third place by the end of the month. That would be unthinkable for a team that started the season as heavy favorites. The pressure on the young players like Endrick and Franco Mastantuono—who are seeing more minutes now—is immense.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
Betting and Predictions: Is an Upset Possible?
The bookies still have Madrid as heavy favorites. Most analysts are predicting a 3-1 or 4-1 win for Los Blancos. But there's a "trap game" feel to this one. Levante has been poor, but they have a knack for scoring against the big boys when the defense is sleeping.
If Madrid doesn't score in the first 20 minutes, the Bernabéu will get restless. The whistles will start. And that is exactly what Levante wants.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're planning on following the Real Madrid next game La Liga, here is what you need to do:
- Check the Lineups: Follow the official Real Madrid social channels exactly 60 minutes before the 2:00 PM CET kickoff. If Mbappé isn't in the starting XI, expect the odds to shift.
- Watch the Presser: Arbeloa’s post-match comments after Albacete were defensive; see if he’s more confident in the Friday pre-match briefing.
- Monitor the Standings: Keep an eye on the Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad result on Sunday night. Madrid needs La Real to do them a massive favor.
- UCL Prep: Remember that the Monaco game is only 72 hours later. Any player subbed off early against Levante is likely being preserved for Europe.
Madrid is a club built on drama. This week has provided enough for a whole season. Whether they can turn that drama into a dominant performance remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: nobody is yawning at the prospect of playing Levante anymore.
Key Match Details
- Opponent: Levante UD
- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Time: 14:00 CET / 08:00 EST
- Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
- Broadcast: beIN SPORTS (US), DAZN (Spain)
To stay ahead of the curve, ensure your streaming notifications are set for Saturday morning, as the early kickoff time often catches international fans off guard during these high-stakes winter periods.