The Matchday 2 clash of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Villarreal (Spain) and Juventus (Italy) will take place on October 1 at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Villarreal vs. Juventus: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Villarreal
In the first round, the team suffered a 0-1 defeat away to Tottenham. This loss marked the Spaniards' third consecutive defeat in the Champions League, and Villarreal has been unable to secure a win in their last four matches in this tournament. However, the club has been fairly consistent in finding the back of the net, scoring in 6 of their last 8 Champions League games. On the other hand, the Spaniards have kept a clean sheet in only two of their last nine matches in this European competition.
- No more than two goals have been scored in 5 of Villarreal's last 7 Champions League matches.
- At home, the team has failed to win 8 of their last 10 Champions League matches (2 draws, 6 losses).
- Villarreal has scored at least once in 6 of their last 7 home games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Villarreal (4-4-2)
Luis Junior – Rafa Marin, Sergi Cardona, Santiago Mourino, Renato Veiga – Dani Parejo, Santi Comesaña, Pape Gueye, Tajon Buchanan – Georges Mikautadze, Nicolas Pepe.
Injured players include forwards Ayoze Perez, Pau Cabanes, and Gerard Moreno, as well as defenders Juan Foyth, Willy Kambwala, and Logan Costa.
Juventus
The Italians put on a show in the first round. Ivan Juric's side were trailing Borussia Dortmund by two goals in added time but managed to snatch a point with a 4-4 draw. Notably, the team scored more than three goals for the first time in their last 21 Champions League matches. Juventus has only one win in their last five Champions League games (2 draws, 2 losses) and has conceded in their last four matches in this tournament.
- On the road, Turin has not scored more than once in 9 of their last 11 Champions League matches.
- The team has failed to win 9 of their last 10 away matches in the Champions League (4 draws, 5 losses).
- Juventus has conceded at least one goal in 8 of their last 10 away games in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Juventus (3-4-3)
Michele Di Gregorio – Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly, Pierre Kalulu – Andrea Cambiaso, Teun Koopmeiners, Manuel Locatelli, Juan Cabal – Lois Openda, Jonathan David, Kenan Yildiz.
Due to injuries, midfielders Fabio Miretti, Khephren Thuram, and defender Gleison Bremer will miss the match.
Referee
Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
Matches – 17 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 61;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 24%.
Villarreal vs. Juventus: Match Prediction
After a disappointing start to the tournament, the Spaniards will likely try to assert themselves in their home fixture. In the Champions League, Villarreal has shown decent results at home and regularly finds the net, scoring in 6 of their last 7 home games in this tournament. However, their defense has room for improvement. At home, the Spaniards have conceded in 8 of their last 10 Champions League matches, with at least two goals conceded in 7 of those games.
The most prolific match of the first round involved Juventus. While it's unlikely that the Turin side can replicate such a goal-fest, at least one goal from the team is expected. The Italians have scored in 12 of their last 16 away Champions League games. However, Ivan Juric's side is unlikely to keep a clean sheet. In their last four Champions League matches, the club has conceded 9 goals, and away from home, they have kept a clean sheet in only 2 of their last 10 matches in this tournament.
My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
