Villarreal vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase

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Villarreal are the team that perhaps most punch above their weight in Europe as they welcome 2023 UEFA Champions League winners Manchester City.

Kick-off date/time: 21 October 2025 at 8:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+ & DAZN

Villarreal preview: Brilliant Yellow Submarine

Coached by former Valencia and Olympique de Marseille boss Marcelino, Villarreal have re-emerged as one of the absolute strongest teams in La Liga. They are pretenders to the so-called 'big three' but may well be hoping to crash into that with a lot of attacking depth after yet another busy summer transfer window.

The Yellow Submarine come into this one on the back of another entertaining clash as they shared a 2-2 draw with El Madrigal. Villarreal have started their season very well and will be expected to continue to build with a solid and fun 4-4-2 system in which they have an abundance of depth across all areas of the pitch.

Man City preview: Solid City

They now face a Manchester City side that have returned to some form in terms of results, and that continued at the weekend as the Cityzens defeated Everton by two goals to nil at the Etihad Stadium, courtesy of yet another brace of goals scored by Norway international striker Erling Braut Haaland.

The level of results for City have definitely improved as they search for consistency. Some concerns could remain over their performance level as Pep Guardiola once again adapts and evolves into a more functional and physical style that doesn't necessarily rely on outright control with the ball.

Villarreal team news: Nothing fresh

Villarreal have no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for this one with a few absentees in defence, such as Juan Foyth as well as both Willy Kambwala and Logan Costa.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Tenas; Navarro, Marin, Veiga, Alfonso; Buchanan, Parejo, Comesana, Moleiro; Gerard, Oluwaseyi

Unavailable: Foyth (Injured), Cabanes (Injured), Kambwala (Injured), Costa (Injured)

Questionable: 

Man City team news: A few absentees

As they head to Castellon, Manchester City are dealing with a few absentees for this week with Rodri still unavailable, perhaps only until the weekend, alongside both Abdukodir Khusanov and Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Silva, Foden, Reijnders, Doku; Haaland

Unavailable: Khusanov (Injured), Ait-Nouri (Injured), Rodri (Injured)

Questionable: 

Villarreal vs Man City prediction

That counter-attacking capability and level of pragmatism from City should help them in any game they play and they head to Spain still as favourites. However, a view that a glass jaw remains for the City defence has to hold them back from being declared favourites across all competitions - and may also harm them in this game against a tactically detailed Villarreal side. Both teams scoring would seem a good bet for this one in Castellon.

Villarreal vs Man City Tip: Both teams to score