The Matchday 3 clash in 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 Valencians have only collected 1 point so far, placing them 26th in the standings. In the first round, the team lost away to Tottenham 0-1, and in the next match, they drew 2-2 at home with Juventus. Overall, the Spanish side has not tasted victory in this European competition for five matches – 2 draws and 3 losses.
- Villarreal has not won in their last 8 encounters with Premier League teams – 3 draws and 5 losses.
- At home in this tournament, the Spanish side has only 2 wins in their last 11 games (3 draws and 6 losses).
- The Valencians have 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, Willy Kambwala, and forward Pau Cabanes are out due to injuries.
Manchester City
The Mancunians remain unbeaten with 4 points, rounding out the top eight of the group stage. At the start of the tournament, the English team defeated Napoli 2-0 at home, and in the second round, they drew 2-2 away with Monaco. Josep Guardiola's side could have hoped for more, but they conceded a late penalty goal after the 90th minute. It's also 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 side 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. Due to injuries, the participation of defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Rayan Ait-Nouri is questionable.
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%.
Villarreal vs. Manchester City: Match Prediction
The English side has a good chance to break their 5-match winless streak in away fixtures of this European competition. The Valencians have weak performances in this tournament, having won only 2 of their last 11 home matches. Moreover, Villarreal often concedes two or more goals even at home in the Champions League. Such a weak defense will struggle to contain Erling Haaland, who has scored 36 goals in 32 group stage games of this European competition.
It's also worth noting that the Valencians have played 3 home matches against English opponents in the Champions League over the last 15 years and lost all of them, conceding at least two goals in each. In the 2011/12 season, Manchester City won at this stadium 3-0. Therefore, in this matchup, I favor the visitors.
My prediction – Manchester City to Win
