Pafos vs Villarreal Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
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Cypriot champions Pafos head into an intriguing UEFA Champions League league phase contest against a very strong Villarreal side in southern Europe this week.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – CBS Sports
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Pafos preview: Punching Pafos
Pafos managed to qualify for the league phase of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history, punching well above their weight, albeit they are a club with quite a lot of financial backing.
They have started their league phase with draws against Greek champions Olympiacos and Kazakh champions Kairat, sandwiching a 5-0 hammering at the hands of German champions Bayern Munich at home.
Villarreal preview: Brilliant Villarreal
Coached by former Valencia and Olympique de Marseille boss Marcelino, Villarreal come into this one on the back of a 4-0 hammering of Rayo Vallecano at El Madrigal with goals from Gerard Moreno, Alberto Moleiro, Santi Comesana and Ayoze Perez.
The Yellow Submarine sit third in La Liga after an impressive start to the season. Their victory against Rayo the other day means that they have now enjoyed a three-match winning streak across all competitions.
Pafos team news: Joao Correia suspended
Having had their appeal turned down, Pafos will be without Joao Correia for this week as he is missing through suspension, following his red card against Kairat a fortnight ago.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Michael; Felipe, Luckassen, Luiz, Pileas; Rodrigues, Sunjic; Quina, Dragomir, Orsic; Bassouamina
Unavailable: Correia (Suspended), Pedrao (Injured)
Questionable:
Villarreal team news: Nothing fresh
Ahead of their trip to Cyprus this week, Villarreal have no fresh injury concerns as defenders Willy Kambwala and Logan Costa remain absent alongside Pau Cabanes.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Junior; Mourino, Foyth, Veiga, Alfonso; Pepe, Comesana, Partey, Moleiro; Gerard, Mikautadze
Unavailable: Kambwala (Injured), Costa (Injured), Cabanes (Injured)
Questionable:
Pafos vs Villarreal prediction
Pafos have struggled for goals in the UEFA Champions League and that was actually always expected to be the case after managing to get themselves through to the league phase with a resilient style. Villarreal have been very strong, albeit not quite as good in this competition, and they will expect to eventually ease themselves towards the knockouts with a comfortable win here to be expected.
Pafos vs Villarreal Tip: Villarreal to win
