The Matchday 2 encounter of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage between Villarreal (Spain) and Juventus (Italy) will take place on October 1 at Estadio de la Cerámica. Villarreal vs. Juventus: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Villarreal
In the first round, the team suffered a 0-1 away defeat to Tottenham. This loss marked the Spanish side's third consecutive defeat in the Champions League, and Villarreal has been unable to secure a victory in this tournament for four matches. However, the club has been quite consistent in finding the back of the net, scoring in 6 of their last 8 Champions League fixtures. On the defensive end, the Spaniards have managed to keep a clean sheet in only two of their previous nine games in this 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 fixtures (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 (4-3-3)
Luis Junior – Rafa Marin, Sergi Cardona, Santiago Mourino, Renatu Veiga – Alberto Moleiro, Santi Comesana, Pap Gueye – Georges Mikautadze, Nicolas Pepe, Tajon Buchanan.
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 was trailing Borussia Dortmund by two goals in stoppage 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 previous five Champions League games (2 draws, 2 losses), and they have conceded in their last four matches in this tournament.
- In 9 of their last 11 away matches in this competition, Juventus has not scored more than once.
- The team has failed to win 9 of their last 10 away Champions League fixtures (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, Joao Mario, Pierre Kalulu, Manuel Locatelli – Teun Koopmeiners, Jonathan David, Kenan Yildiz.
Midfielder Fabio Miretti and forward Francisco Conceição will miss the match due to injuries. Midfielder Khephren Thuram is doubtful.
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, Villarreal will likely aim to make amends in their home game. In the Champions League, Villarreal has shown decent form at home and regularly finds the net, having scored in 6 of their last 7 home games in this competition. However, there are concerns about their defense. At home, the Spaniards have conceded in 8 of their last 10 Champions League matches, with at least two goals in 7 of those games.
The most thrilling match of the first round involved Juventus. It's unlikely the Turin side can replicate such a goal-fest, but at least one goal from the team can be 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 they have kept just 2 clean sheets in their last 10 away games in this tournament.
My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
