Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Borussia Dortmund want to be taken seriously again and Niko Kovac is aiding that as the Yellow-Blacks kick off their UEFA Champions League season with the visit of Villarreal.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – CBS Sports
How to watch online: UK – HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Borussia Dortmund preview: Becoming serious
Borussia Dortmund come into this one having begun the Bundesliga season with a 2-0 defeat of Hamburg at the Westfalenstadion before they then produced a superb comeback to come from 2-0 down to defeat Hoffenheim at the weekend.
That stirring performance has given Niko Kovac’s side two victories from two matches as they seek to sustain themselves as legitimate title challengers to Bayern Munich once again this season.
Villarreal preview: Tough start
Despite Marcelino overseeing successive UEFA Champions League qualifications for the first time in Villarreal’s history, The Yellow Submarine opted for a different direction this summer with the impressive young coaching of Inigo Perez.
Perez led Rayo Vallecano to the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League last season and got them performing well above their weight with a fun style. Villarreal are struggling to adapt for the time being, though, with no wins in La Liga so far this season.
Borussia Dortmund team news: Couple of suspensions
Defensive duo Nico Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini are now missing through suspension, while fellow defender Filippo Mane has picked up an injury and is now a doubt.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Gadou, Anton, Reggiani; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Karetsas, Beier; Guirassy
Unavailable: Schlotterbeck (Suspended), Bensebaini (Suspended), Lerma (Injured), Konstantelias (Injured), Kaba (Injured), Can (Injured)
Questionable: Mane (Injured)
Villarreal team news: No confirmed absentees
Villarreal head to Germany with no confirmed injury absentees for this weekend, while Juan Foyth is working his way back to full fitness ahead of the trip.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Junior; Freeman, Costa, Veiga, Cardona; Pepe, Saliba, Gueye, Moleiro; Gerard, Ayoze
Unavailable:
Questionable: Foyth (Injured)
Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal prediction
Villarreal’s 3-2 defeat at home to newly-promoted Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend was the third time in four matches so far this season that they have conceded twice in a La Liga game. The intense and energetic style of Inigo Perez was expected to have its teething issues and they are apparent. Last year, they were brilliant and consistent in the league but woeful in this competition – they will be hoping for opposite to be true at least as they travel to Dortmund but the expectation is and chances are that Dortmund ease themselves to a fourth successive win across all competitions so far this season.
Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal Tip: Borussia Dortmund to win
