Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
This page contains affiliate links and we may earn a commission from any products or services you purchase.
Spanish side Villarreal made it all the way to the Champions League semi-finals in 2021/22 but this is their first appearance in the competition since then.
It’s been a low-key comeback at this point. The yellow submarine kicked off with a 1-0 loss to Tottenham and then needed a 90th-minute strike from Renato Vega to grab a 2-2 home draw with Juventus.
That’s just one point off six which leaves them 26th in the 36-team table with work to do.
Domestically, the picture looks brighter as they sit third, only behind behemoths Real Madrid and Barcelona, although there was disappointment at the weekend as they blew a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 home draw with Real Betis.
There is a sense that things are returning to normal for Manchester City after last season’s chaos and a shaky start to the current campaign as they lost two of their first three Premier League games: 2-0 at Spurs and 2-1 at Brighton.
Since then they have scored 13 out of 15 points and Moved to second place behind Arsenal.
In the Champions League, Pep Guardiola’s side opened with a 2-0 win over Napoli but then suffered a setback in Monaco. Erling Holland twice put them in front but the game ended 2-2 after Eric Dier’s last-minute penalty for the hosts.
City, Champions League winners for the first time in 2023, are currently eighth in the standings.
How to see and hear
Villarreal v Man City kicks off at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Tuesday 21st October.
It will be shown live on Discovery+ and TNT Sports 1 with coverage starting at 7 p.m.
Villarreal Team News
Villarreal boss Marcelino has problems in central defence, with Logan Costa, Willie Combs and Joan Foote among the most likely to be missed.
It is far from ideal that they have conceded seven goals in their last three games – 2-2 draws with Juventus and Real Betis as well as a 3-1 defeat at Real Madrid.
Injured frontman Pau Kabin will also not play a part but they have right-back Santiago Moreno available after missing the weekend due to domestic ban.
Man City expected line-up
(4-4-2) Tenas ; Moreno, Marin, Vega, Pedraza; Buchanan, Parejo, Guyoy, Acarana; Pepe, Makoutdze
Man City Team News
Rodri’s hamstring problem again deprives City of their rock in midfield so Nico Gonzalez should once again play a holding role.
It’s never an exact science trying to work out Pep’s thinking and team selection but Oscar Bob and Bernardo Silva could nod in midfield after coming off the bench for the final 30 minutes of the 2-0 2-0 win over Manchester City.
At the back, Robin Dias could have a different centre-back partner after playing alongside Nathan Ake against the Toffees.
Man City expected line-up
(4-1-4-1) Donnarumma ; Nunes, Stone, Dias, Guardiola; Gonzales; Bob, Silva, Doku, Foden; Holland.
Villarreal vs Man City Stats
-City won the only previous matches between the teams in the 2011/12 Champions League group stage, 2-1 at Manchester and 3-0 at Villarreal.
– Villarreal’s 1-0 loss to Spurs on Matchday 1 made it five consecutive defeats against English clubs and no success in the last eight (D3 L5).
– The Spanish side have won two of their last nine home games against the English visitors (D4 L3).
– City are winless in five matches against Spanish clubs (D3 L2).
– City are winless in five Champions League fixtures (D1 L4).
– Erling Haaland made his 50th Champions League appearance in Monaco, scoring his 52nd goal. The previous best for a player in his first 50 games was Rod van Nistelrooy with 43.
– Holland have 36 goals in 32 group stage/league stage appearances.
Villarreal vs Man City Predictions
Having conquered Europe in 2023, it is surprising that Pep’s side have won just two of their last nine Champions League games.
But after the last-minute equalizer in Monaco, I expect them to get it this time.
Erling Haaland’s numbers are insane – 23 goals in 13 matches for club and country this season.
Holland has scored two or more in his last four starts, so back him up Norwegian to score 2+ goals Appeals here.
City to win and over 1.5 goals There is also money in the match and it could be the best bet of the night.
