Our prediction: Liverpool to win & over 2.5 goals @ [add odds]. Liverpool carry a perfect record in this season’s Champions League league phase into Anfield, where they host a Villarreal side that has finally found some momentum in Europe. The Liverpool vs Villarreal clash kicks off at Anfield in Liverpool on Tuesday 20 October at 20:00 WAT (20:00 BST).
Prediction table
| Market | Our pick | Odds | Confidence |
| Match result | Liverpool to win | 1.52 | 65% |
| Both teams to score | Yes | 1.60 | 60% |
| Total goals | Over 2.5 | 1.46 | 66% |
| Correct score | 2-1 | 8.50 | 11% |
| Best value bet / Matchplug Pick | Liverpool to win & over 2.5 goals | 2.35 | 53% |
Odds correct at time of writing, 19 October 2026.
Team news and form
Liverpool answered the 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City by winning 2-1 at Brentford at the weekend, even though they conceded first. Before that came a 6-3 win at LASK, which kept their league-phase record at two wins from two. They have lost just once all season under Andoni Iraola and have won six of their last eight games (D1, L1). In the Champions League group stage and league phase, they have won 19 of their last 22 matches (L3) and 15 of their last 16 at home (L1).
Villarreal ended a run of seven straight Champions League defeats with a 3-1 comeback win over Napoli, then drew 0-0 at home to Elche in La Liga. They have lost only one of their last five games (W3, D1). The problem is travelling: they have lost their last six away matches in Europe, which is their longest current losing run on the road.
VĂctor Muñoz scored Liverpool’s equaliser against Brentford, his fifth consecutive goal to come after half-time, and he has scored against Villarreal before. Tani Oluwaseyi, who found the net against Napoli, is in the same mould, as all of his last five goals have also come after the break. Liverpool will be without Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong, who both went off injured against Brentford, while Villarreal are missing Nicolas PĂ©pĂ© and Tajon Buchanan.
Head-to-head
Villarreal 2-3 Liverpool (3 May 2022, Champions League, semi-final, second leg)
Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal (27 April 2022, Champions League, semi-final, first leg)
Liverpool 3-0 Villarreal (5 May 2016, Europa League, semi-final, second leg)
Villarreal 1-0 Liverpool (28 April 2016, Europa League, semi-final, first leg)
Liverpool have won three of the four meetings (L1) and are on a five-match winning run against Spanish clubs in the Champions League. Villarreal have never beaten English opposition in the competition (D6, L10 in 16 matches).
Why we’re backing it
Liverpool are rarely involved in a goalless game. None of their last 83 group-stage and league-phase matches in the Champions League has ended 0-0, and they have scored at least twice in 13 of their last 15 home games in the competition.
Villarreal’s defence is the other half of the case. They have kept only three clean sheets in their last 33 Champions League games, none in the last 13, and they have conceded first in each of their last seven away matches in Europe. Their last six Champions League games have averaged four goals. With Liverpool’s home form and 1xBet pricing them at 1.52 to win, backing a Liverpool win together with over 2.5 goals offers better value than the match result alone.
Betting tips summary
Safe pick: Liverpool or draw (double chance) @ 1.15
Value pick: Liverpool to win & over 2.5 goals @ [add odds] <- our recommended bet
Long shot: Correct score 2-1 to Liverpool @ 8.50
Frequently asked questions
Who will win Liverpool vs Villarreal? We expect Liverpool to win. They have won 15 of their last 16 home league-phase matches, and Villarreal have lost their last six away games in Europe. The 1xBet price of 1.52 implies roughly a 65% chance once the bookmaker’s margin is removed.
What is the correct score prediction for Liverpool vs Villarreal? 2-1 is our most likely single scoreline at 11%.
What time does Liverpool vs Villarreal kick off? Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 20:00 WAT (20:00 BST), at Anfield in Liverpool.
Will there be over 2.5 goals in Liverpool vs Villarreal? Yes is our pick at 66% confidence. None of Liverpool’s last 83 Champions League group-stage and league-phase matches has finished goalless, and Villarreal have conceded first in their last seven away games in the competition.
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