Tonight is Tottenham’s opening Champions League fixture of the 2025-26 season, following our Europa League win the previous year. The good news is that this game will see Spurs on TV again. Villarreal are coming off a 2-0 loss to Atlético Madrid, while Tottenham recently beat West Ham 3-0 in the Premier League.
This marks the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides, with Tottenham entering as favourites after a strong start to their Premier League season under new manager Thomas Frank, who took over following Ange Postecoglou’s successful Europa League-winning campaign last term. Villarreal, managed by Marcelino, returns to Europe’s elite competition after securing fifth place in La Liga last season.
Spurs fans are delighted to be back in the Champions League, and tonight’s game is being broadcast live in the UK on Amazon Prime Video. Coverage begins at 7:00 PM BST (or 6:30 PM in some listings). It’s free to watch for Amazon Prime subscribers.
Spurs form ahead of this Champions League clash
Tottenham have been in excellent shape domestically, winning three of their opening four Premier League matches with convincing margins (including a 3-0 thrashing of West Ham United on September 13).
We’ve conceded just one goal in those games, showcasing a robust defence, while averaging 1.2 goals per match from limited but efficient shots (3.2 on target). Key contributors include Richarlison and Brennan Johnson (two goals each) and Mohammed Kudus (two assists). Overall, Spurs have a 3-6-1 record in recent outings, with 49.5% average possession and strong home form in Europe—unbeaten in their last 20 UEFA home games and scoring in 15 of their last 16 continental matches.
Villareal’s form
Villarreal’s start to the 2025-26 La Liga season has been mixed: back-to-back wins over Real Oviedo and Girona to open the campaign, but only one point from their last six available, including a 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo and a 2-0 loss to Atlético Madrid on September 13.
They’ve struggled for consistency, with at least one team failing to score in four of their last five matches, and they’ve never beaten an English side in the Champions League (0 wins, 6 draws, 8 losses in 14 attempts). Despite this, the Yellow Submarine averages 5.8 corners per game in their last five, which could test Tottenham’s defence, which has conceded over 3.5 corners in four straight home matches
Head-to-head:
No prior meetings, but Tottenham have a mixed record against Spanish teams in UEFA competitions (2 wins in 14 games), while Villarreal’s European pedigree includes a memorable 2021 Europa League semi-final run.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Tottenham will be without record signing Dominic Solanke, who is sidelined with an ankle injury but progressing in rehab. Otherwise, the squad is largely fit, with young talents like Lucas Bergvall shining (goal and assist vs. West Ham) and new additions like João Palhinha and Xavi Simons bolstering the midfield.
Predicted Tottenham Line-up (4-3-3):
Villarreal have no major reported injuries, but their recent form suggests reliance on experienced players like Dani Parejo and Thomas Partey in midfield. Forward Georges Mikautadze and winger Nicolas Pépé will be key in attack.
Predicted Villarreal Lineup (4-3-3):
Luiz Júnior; Mouriño, Veiga, Foyth, Cardona; Buchanan, Parejo, Partey; Moleiro, Pépé, Mikautadze.
Referee Rade Obrenovic averages 5.5 yellow cards per game, and with both teams’ matches seeing around 3-3.5 cards on average, expect over 3.5 total bookings.
