The Matchday 3 clash of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Villarreal (Spain) and Manchester City (England) will take place on October 21 at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Villarreal vs. Manchester City: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Villarreal
The Valencian team has only secured 1 point so far, placing them in the 26th position in the standings. In the first round, they lost 0-1 away to Tottenham, and in the next match, they drew 2-2 at home against Juventus. Overall, the Spaniards have not won in their last five matches in this European competition, with 2 draws and 3 losses.
- Villarreal has not won in their last 8 encounters with Premier League teams, recording 3 draws and 5 losses.
- On home turf in this tournament, the Spaniards have only 2 wins in their last 11 games (3 draws and 6 losses).
- The Valencian team has conceded at least two goals in 8 of their last 11 home matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Villarreal (4-4-2)
Luis Junior – Rafa Marin, Sergi Cardona, Santiago Mourino, Renato Veiga – Daniel Parejo, Santi Comesaña, Pape Gueye, Tajon Buchanan – Georges Mikautadze, Nicolas Pepe.
Defenders Logan Costa, Juan Foyth, and Willy Kambwala are out due to injuries.
Manchester City
The Mancunians remain unbeaten with 4 points, closing the top eight of the group stage. At the start of the tournament, the English team defeated Napoli 2-0 at home and drew 2-2 away with Monaco in the second round. Pep Guardiola's side could have achieved more, but they conceded a late penalty goal after the 90th minute. Additionally, it's worth noting that in their last 9 Champions League matches, the Citizens have only managed 2 wins (2 draws and 5 losses).
- Both teams scored in 7 of Manchester City's last 9 games in this European competition.
- The English team has won 5 of their last 6 encounters with Spanish clubs in the group stage.
- The Citizens have a 5-match winless streak away in the Champions League (1 draw and 4 losses).
Predicted lineup for Manchester City (4-1-4-1)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly – Nico Gonzalez – Tijjani Reijnders, Oscar Bobb, Savio, Phil Foden – Erling Haaland.
Midfielder Rodri Hernandez is not ready to play due to an injury, as is defender Abdukodir Khusanov. Defender Rayan Ait-Nouri's participation is also in doubt due to an injury.
Referee
Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands)
Matches – 13 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 69;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.3;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 46%.
Match Prediction: Villarreal vs. Manchester City
The English side has a good chance to end their 5-match winless streak in away games in this European competition. Villarreal has weak performances in this tournament, with only 2 wins in their last 11 home matches. Moreover, Villarreal often concedes two or more goals at home in the Champions League. Such a weak defense will find it difficult to contain Erling Haaland, who has already scored 36 goals in 32 group stage games in this European competition.
It's also worth noting that over the past 15 years, Villarreal has hosted English opponents in the Champions League three times and lost all, conceding at least two goals each time. In the 2011/12 season, Manchester City won 3-0 at this stadium. Therefore, I favor the visitors in this match.
My prediction: Manchester City to win
