Liverpool vs Villarreal Prediction and Betting Odds

Liverpool chase a third straight Champions League win when Villarreal, fresh off a statement victory over Napoli, visit Anfield.

Liverpool have already banged in eight goals across their two Champions League outings this season, and all four league phase games involving these sides have cleared two and a half goals.

Andoni Iraola's men come into Tuesday night's clash at Anfield (Wednesday morning our time) off a gritty comeback win at Brentford, while Inigo Perez brings a Villarreal side buoyed by beating Napoli but still finding their feet back home in La Liga.

Before we get to our full preview, here are the key details:

• Competition: UEFA Champions League, League Phase Matchday 3
• Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
• Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 (AEDT)
• Start Time: 6:00am AEDT
• Broadcast: Stan Sport

Liverpool vs Villarreal Form and Head to Head

Liverpool have won four of their last five in all competitions. Most recently, they won 2-1 at Brentford, beat LASK 6-3 away, lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City, won 1-0 at Bournemouth and beat Tottenham 3-1 at Anfield.

They sit fifth in the league phase on six points after also edging Atletico Madrid 2-1 on matchday one. Villarreal's last five reads a 0-0 home draw with Elche, a 3-1 win over Napoli, a 1-0 loss at Real Madrid, then 3-1 wins over Levante and Malaga.

They opened their European campaign with a 3-2 loss in Dortmund, so they sit 14th in the league phase on three points, and they're only 12th in La Liga with nine points from nine games.

The sides have met four times, all in European semi-finals. Villarreal won the first leg in 2016, but Liverpool have won the three meetings since, including a 3-0 at Anfield that year and a 2-0 home win in 2022.

Liverpool vs Villarreal Team News

Liverpool lost Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong to injuries at Brentford, and both are expected to miss this one. The good news is Ryan Gravenberch returns from suspension to partner Alexis Mac Allister, while Alexander Isak, who scored the winner on Saturday, should lead the line.

Cody Gakpo is back from an ankle problem and could come straight back in, with some rotation possible ahead of Brighton on Sunday. That Brighton clash is one to keep in mind in our EPL predictions as well.

Villarreal are reportedly without Nicolas Pepe (eye) and Tajon Buchanan is in doubt (hamstring), so expect Georges Mikautadze and Gerard Moreno up top with Alberto Moleiro providing the spark out wide.

Liverpool vs Villarreal Betting Markets

Liverpool shape as short-priced favourites in the match result market, which is why plenty of punters will look past the head-to-head and towards the goals markets.

Both teams to score is an interesting one, given Liverpool have conceded in four of their last five and Villarreal found the net three times in each of their last three wins.

The total goals line also deserves a look, while the Asian handicap offers a way to back Liverpool at a bigger price if you think they win comfortably. In the goalscorer markets, Isak is the obvious name, with Mikautadze the danger man for the visitors.

For the latest Liverpool vs Villarreal odds and markets, check out our dedicated odds page here at Sportsbet.

Liverpool vs Villarreal Prediction: Our Pick

Our pick is Liverpool to win and over 2.5 goals.

Goals have followed both clubs around Europe this season, with Liverpool's Champions League games producing three and nine goals and Villarreal's producing five and four.

Four of Liverpool's last five matches in all competitions have also gone over two and a half, so the total looks a good fit with a home win. If you want to dig past the raw goal counts, our explainer on what xG means in football breaks down the chances behind those numbers.

Liverpool have won four of their last five and have the edge in quality, especially with Gravenberch back and Isak in form. Villarreal, meanwhile, have just two La Liga wins from nine and couldn't break down Elche at home on the weekend.

The risk is that Liverpool haven't been bulletproof at Anfield this season, with City winning 3-0 there in their most recent Premier League home game, and the Szoboszlai absence takes some creativity out of the midfield. 

Villarreal are good enough to make this awkward if Liverpool start slowly, so keep your punt sensible.