Villarreal meet Manchester City in a massive league phase encounter in 2025-26 UEFA Champions League.
Victory will lift Villarreal into the knockout play-off spots, whilst Man City can stay in the top eight with a win.
Team News
Santiago Mourino is available for Villarreal after he was suspended for their 2-2 draw at home to Real Betis in La Liga.
Juan Foyth (unspecified) is a doubt but Willy Kambwala (hamstring), Paul Cabanes and Logan Costa (both ACL) remain absent.
Man City have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton.
Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle) could return but Abdukodir Khusanov (ankle) and Rodri (hamstring) are still ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Villarreal host Man City at Estadio de la Ceramica on Tuesday 21 October at 9pm CEST (8pm BST), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Villarreal lost each of their two previous Champions League meetings against Man City (L2).
- Man City won 3-0 on their only previous trip to Villarreal in November 2011.
- Only six of Villarreal’s 27 shots were converted onto target in their opening two league phase fixtures (D1, L1).
- Three of City’s four goals in their opening two league phase wins were scored by Erling Haaland.
Prediction
With just three clean sheets in all competitions this season but clearly knowing how to deliver goals, Villarreal should hold no fear if can produce a clinical attacking display but their defence need to be superbly organised to silence City’s superior attack.
City meanwhile produced a dominant clinical win against Everton but for all of their dominance, they could of made better decisions in the final third – especially in the first half, but their intensity will be difficult for Villarreal to handle if bring that same quality into this game.
Although Villarreal will try and take the game to City, I do think that Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens will ultimately have too much.
Prediction: Villarreal 1-3 Man City
Result: Villarreal 0-2 Man City
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