Liverpool face Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League, matchday 3 of the league phase, on 20 October 2026. Kick-off is at 20:00 BST (19:00 UTC) at Anfield. Liverpool are 5th in the Champions League with 6 points from 2 matches played. Villarreal are 14th, having collected 3 points from their 2 matches. Our predictions for the round start here.
Liverpool vs Villarreal Team News
Liverpool face several absences with Bradley, who is out due to a knee injury, and Chiesa, an attacker, off the roster. Ekitike is sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury, and Endo, a midfielder, is also off the roster. Leoni is out with a knee injury. Frimpong, a defender, is doubtful due to an injury. This leaves Liverpool short in defence and attack.
Villarreal have Buchanan, a midfielder, out with a muscle injury, while Pepe, an attacker, is sidelined with an eye injury. These absences could impact Villarreal’s midfield and attacking options.
Liverpool vs Villarreal Match Preview
Liverpool, sitting 5th in the Champions League group stage, have 6 points, equal to leaders Paris Saint Germain. A win could propel them above Stuttgart, who also have 6 points, due to goal differences. Villarreal, in 14th with 3 points, need a victory to close the 3-point gap to PSG.
Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, are likely to control possession with their 4-2-3-1 formation, especially strong at home. Villarreal, under Inigo Perez, may adopt a deeper stance with their 4-4-2 setup, struggling away in the Champions League. The match could be decided by Liverpool’s ability to break Villarreal’s defensive lines.
The key question is whether Liverpool can leverage their home advantage to dominate Villarreal, who struggle away. This clash will test Liverpool’s attacking prowess against Villarreal’s resilience. Our Football betting tips cover the rest of the round, offering insights into other exciting matchups.
Liverpool Recent Form
| Match | Date | Competition | Result | W/D/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brentford vs Liverpool | 2026-10-17 | Premier League | 1-2 | W |
| Lask Linz vs Liverpool | 2026-10-14 | UEFA Champions League | 3-6 | W |
| Liverpool vs Manchester City | 2026-10-11 | Premier League | 0-3 | L |
| Bournemouth vs Liverpool | 2026-09-20 | Premier League | 0-1 | W |
| Liverpool vs Tottenham | 2026-09-15 | League Cup | 3-1 | W |
Liverpool have won 4 of their last 5 matches across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and conceding 8. At home in the Champions League, they have played 1 match, winning it, with 2 goals scored and 1 conceded. They have won each of their last 2 matches, the latest a 2-1 win at Brentford on 17 October.
Villarreal Recent Form
| Match | Date | Competition | Result | W/D/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villarreal vs Elche | 2026-10-17 | La Liga | 0-0 | D |
| Villarreal vs Napoli | 2026-10-13 | UEFA Champions League | 3-1 | W |
| Real Madrid vs Villarreal | 2026-10-10 | La Liga | 1-0 | L |
| Villarreal vs Levante | 2026-09-20 | La Liga | 3-1 | W |
| Malaga vs Villarreal | 2026-09-17 | La Liga | 1-3 | W |
Villarreal have secured 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss across all competitions in their last 5 matches, scoring 9 goals and conceding 4. In the Champions League, their away record shows 1 loss, with 2 goals scored and 3 conceded. Their most recent result is a 0-0 draw at home to Elche on 17 October.
Liverpool vs Villarreal Head-to-Head
| Match | Date | Competition | Result | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villarreal vs Liverpool | 2022-05-03 | UEFA Champions League | 2-3 | Liverpool |
| Liverpool vs Villarreal | 2022-04-27 | UEFA Champions League | 2-0 | Liverpool |
| Liverpool vs Villarreal | 2016-05-05 | UEFA Europa League | 3-0 | Liverpool |
| Villarreal vs Liverpool | 2016-04-28 | UEFA Europa League | 1-0 | Villarreal |
Liverpool and Villarreal have met 4 times, with Liverpool winning 3 and Villarreal 1. Goals have been evenly distributed: 2 matches went over 2.5 goals, and 2 stayed under. Liverpool’s 3-0 victory at Anfield on 5 May 2016 in the UEFA Europa League highlights their defensive strength, evidenced by 2 clean sheets. The average of 2.8 goals per match is a key figure for bettors.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool Predicted Lineup
Alisson; Kerkez, van Dijk, Jacquet, Araujo; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Barcola, Wirtz, Munoz; Isak.
Liverpool have used 4-2-3-1 in 2 of their 2 UEFA Champions League matches this season, and this is the eleven that started their last match.
Villarreal Predicted Lineup
Gulacsi; Cardona, Costa, Foyth, Freeman; Oluwaseyi, Macia, Comesana, Akhomach; Moleiro, Perez.
Villarreal have used 4-4-2 in 1 of their 2 UEFA Champions League matches this season, and this is the eleven that started their last match.
Liverpool vs Villarreal Match Analysis
Liverpool’s recent performance in the Champions League shows a slight overperformance in attack. Their xG_for_avg is 1.87 over 4 matches, yet they have scored 9 goals. Defensively, they have conceded 7 goals against an xG_against_avg of 1.26 over the same period. This suggests potential volatility in goals markets rather than a consistent result.
Examining goal timing in the Champions League, Liverpool have scored consistently between the 16th and 75th minutes. They have no goals in the first 15 minutes or the final 15. Villarreal, however, score late, with goals between the 76th and 90th minute. This timing contrast indicates potential for late drama, favouring the goals markets.
In their last five matches across all competitions, Villarreal have averaged 17.6 shots per match with 57.8% possession, demonstrating their attacking intent. Liverpool’s defence faces 12.6 shots per match, potentially struggling against Villarreal’s pressure. This shot volume and possession point towards both teams to score.
Villarreal’s discipline in the Champions League is a concern, averaging 2.5 yellow cards per match, which may disrupt their game plan.
Key Factors
Liverpool’s defensive absences could be pivotal against Villarreal’s attacking pressure.
- Frimpong’s injury leaves Liverpool vulnerable in defence.
- Liverpool scored 2 goals at home in the Champions League this season.
- Villarreal scored 2 goals away in the Champions League this season.
- Liverpool have won 3 of 4 meetings against Villarreal.
- Villarreal average 2.5 yellow cards per match in the Champions League.
Free Tips
Liverpool won 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions, and the one miss came in the Premier League.
Villarreal won, drew or lost by no more than 1 in all of their last 5 matches.
At least one side failed to score in 3 of the last 4 meetings, and the miss came away.
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Our Verdict
I lean towards Liverpool to win this match, given their strong home form and historical success against Villarreal. Despite several injuries, Liverpool’s ability to control possession and attack effectively at Anfield is the deciding factor. I am comfortable with this prediction, although Villarreal’s late scoring potential adds a hint of caution.
My confidence would waver if Villarreal manage to exploit Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities, especially with Frimpong’s injury. I am least sure about Liverpool’s ability to maintain a clean sheet. For those considering a flutter, the BC.Game sports betting app offers a seamless way to explore these intriguing markets.
Prices move, so check them before you bet, and set a limit before you start. If it stops being fun, our Responsible Betting page lists the tools BC.Game offers, and GamCare, BeGambleAware and BetBlocker give free, independent help.
Written by Ian Fletcher, football analyst, Betting.BC.Game
Liverpool vs Villarreal Prediction
The data points to a Liverpool victory over Villarreal, with a low-scoring encounter likely. Both teams may not find the net, suggesting a narrow margin. For detailed selections and available prices, please refer to the table below.
Our Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Villarreal
| Prediction | Pick | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Match Result | Liverpool Win | 1.52 |
| Total Goals | Under 2.5 | 2.74 |
| Both Teams to Score | No | 2.40 |
| Correct Score | 1-0 | 9.72 |
Predicted score: Liverpool 1-0 Villarreal, available at 9.72. It is the likeliest scoreline that fits every tip above, shown as our forecast rather than a recommended bet.
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Liverpool vs Villarreal FAQ
Who will win Liverpool vs Villarreal?
Liverpool to win is priced at 1.52. They’re strong at home in the Champions League. Injuries may impact, but their head-to-head record favours them. Villarreal’s resilience might still pose a challenge.
What is the predicted score for Liverpool vs Villarreal?
The predicted score is 1-0 to Liverpool. This reflects their defensive strength at home and Villarreal’s recent struggles to score. It’s a cautious estimate, acknowledging Liverpool’s injuries and Villarreal’s late scoring ability.
What is the biggest risk to the main pick?
Liverpool’s defensive issues are the biggest risk. They’ve conceded 8 goals in their last 5 matches. Villarreal might exploit this, especially with Liverpool’s key defenders injured.
What has changed since Liverpool and Villarreal last met?
Liverpool have won 3 of their 4 meetings with Villarreal, showing historical strength. Villarreal’s form has been inconsistent, with recent struggles in scoring. These factors could influence the upcoming match.
