Racing Post

Tottenham vs Villarreal kick-off, date & TV info

Date Tuesday, September 16

Kick-off 8pm

Venue Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Competition Champions League

TV Amazon Prime Video

Europa League winners Tottenham kick off their 2025-26 Champions League campaign on Tuesday when La Liga side Villarreal visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Thomas Frank has won three of his first four Premier League games as Spurs boss and should have summer signings Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani available.

Tottenham vs Villarreal betting tips & predictions

Best bet

Draw-Tottenham double result

Player shots

Alberto Moleiro to have over 1.5 shots

Longshot

Richarlison to be shown a card

Tottenham vs Villarreal preview

Tottenham's most recent Champions League campaign, in 2022-23, ended with a disappointing 1-0 aggregate defeat to Milan in the round of 16.

However, confidence is high in the Spurs camp as they return to the competition with a matchday-one home fixture against Villarreal on Tuesday.

Brennan Johnson's goal settled last season's scrappy Europa League final against Manchester United in Tottenham's favour, securing Champions League football for a team who finished 17th in the Premier League.

That dismal domestic effort under Ange Postecoglou is already a distant memory for Spurs fans, who have enjoyed 3-0 wins over Burnley and West Ham and a 2-0 victory away to Manchester City in their first four games under new man Thomas Frank.

The only setback in the league was a 1-0 home defeat to in-form Bournemouth and Frank could also take positives from his first competitive fixture as Tottenham boss – last month's daunting Uefa Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

Spurs led the European champions 2-0 until the 85th minute before conceding two late goals and losing 4-3 on penalties.

PSG's comeback was a reminder of the ruthlessness and focus required to compete in the Champions League and matchday-one visitors Villarreal are unlikely to roll over in north London.

They won their final six matches in La Liga last term to qualify for the Champions League and began the new campaign with stylish home wins over Real Oviedo (2-0) and Girona (5-0).

Their progress has stalled in their last two games, though, as they conceded a late equaliser at Celta Vigo and lost 2-0 at Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

There was not much between the teams in Madrid, where Atletico scored with two of their three shots on target and Nicolas Pepe hit the crossbar for Villarreal.

The Yellow Submarine have injuries in defence but are still capable of frustrating Tottenham until the break and the draw-Spurs double result – a winner in Saturday's 3-0 victory at West Ham – is a decent bet.

Rising star Moleiro may unsettle home defence

Young winger Alberto Moleiro caught the eye for Las Palmas last season, scoring six goals and averaging 1.9 shots per game in La Liga, and he has made a bright start to his Villarreal career.

The Spain Under-21 international had three shots against Atletico, more than any other player on the pitch, and could shine on his Champions League debut.

Back Spurs forward to collect another card

Tottenham striker Richarlison is expected to lead the line after dropping to the bench for the weekend win at West Ham and he looks overpriced to be booked.

The Brazil forward relishes the physical side of the game and he picked up yellow cards in Tottenham's high-profile fixtures against PSG and Manchester City this term.

Tottenham vs Villarreal Bet Builder

Under 3.5 goals

None of Tottenham's first four Premier League games under Thomas Frank produced over 3.5 goals and three of Villarreal's four league matches ended with under 2.5 goals.

Nicolas Pepe to have a shot on target

La Liga's Player of the Month for August scored twice in his first three appearances of the season and hit the crossbar with a free-kick against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Rodrigo Bentancur to be shown a card

Tottenham's midfield enforcer picked up 13 yellow cards in 32 Premier League and Europa League starts last season.

Pays out at 7-1 with Hills

Key stats for Tottenham vs Villarreal

♦ Tottenham have scored the first goal in six of their last seven games

♦ Spurs have won three of their first four Premier League matches to nil

♦ Five of Tottenham's seven Europa League knockout ties last season featured under 2.5 goals

♦ Villarreal have won eight of their last ten matches in La Liga

♦ The Yellow Submarine have conceded only one first-half goal in four games this term

Tottenham vs Villarreal betting odds

Sign up with Sky Bet to bet on Tottenham vs Villarreal in the Champions League. Here are the latest odds for Tuesday's match.

Odds correct at time of publishing

Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport's tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.

Tottenham vs Villarrealteam news and predicted line-ups

Tottenham

Mathys Tel, who started the weekend win at West Ham, is not in the Champions League squad. Dominic Solanke did not train on Monday and is likely to join Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, James Maddison, Radu Dragusin and Kota Takai on the sidelines.

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kudus, Simons, Johnson; Richarlison

Subs: Kolo Muani, Bergvall, Udogie, Sarr, Davies, Odobert, Gray

Villarreal

Defenders Logan Costa and Pau Cabanes are sidelined along with striker Gerard Moreno. Defender Willy Kambala is also set to miss out so former Tottenham centre-back Juan Foyth should start. Spurs loanee Manor Solomon is eligible to play against his parent club.

Predicted line-up (4-4-2): Junior; Mourino, Foyth, Veiga, Cardona; Buchanan, Gueye, Parejo, Moleiro; Pepe, Mikautadze

Subs: Solomon, Partey, Perez, Pedraza, Comesana, Oluwaseyi, Marin

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FAQs for Tottenham vs Villarreal

When is Tottenham vs Villarreal in the Champions League?

The match kicks off at 8pm on Tuesday, September 16.

Where is Tottenham vs Villarreal being played?

Tuesday's game is taking place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Where can I watch Tottenham vs Villarreal?

There is live coverage of Tottenham vs Villarreal on Amazon Prime Video.

What is the match betting for Tottenham vs Villarreal?

Liverpool are 5-1 favourites but are closely followed by 6-1 Manchester City, as well as 15-2 Arsenal and Chelsea, in the betting.

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