Liverpool vs Villarreal predictions: Champions League tips & 3/1 Bet Builder

Liverpool will look to extend their perfect Champions League start when Villarreal visit Anfield for the third game of the league phase.

The Reds have followed victories over Atletico Madrid and LASK with a Premier League success at Brentford. Villarreal beat Napoli in their last European outing, though their uneven domestic form makes this a demanding trip.

Liverpool vs Villarreal match details

• Fixture: Liverpool vs Villarreal

• Competition: Champions League

• Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026

• Kick-off: 20:00 BST

• Venue: Anfield

• UK TV: Amazon Prime Video

Our prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Villarreal

Liverpool vs Villarreal predicted lineups

Liverpool

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson / Araujo, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez / Gravenberch, Mac Allister / Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo / Koumas

Villarreal

Our predicted XI (4-4-2): Gulacsi / Mouriño, Navarro, Veiga, Romero / Saliba, Comesana, Gueye, Moleiro / Moreno, Mikautadze

Liverpool vs Villarreal Bet Builder

Ladbrokes share their Liverpool vs Villarreal Bet Builder ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League contest, which is coming in at 3/1.

• Leg 1 - Cody Gakpo 1+ shot on target

• Leg 2 - Georges Mikautadze 1+ shot on target

• Leg 3 - Nathan-Dylan Saliba 1+ foul committed

• Leg 4 - Liverpool to win

Cody Gakpo 1+ shot on target

Cody Gakpo was fit enough to make the bench against Brentford and could come into the side as Andoni Iraola manages a demanding schedule. The Dutchman has taken 10 shots across five Premier League appearances this season, scoring once. A start on the left would give him opportunities to cut inside and test the goalkeeper.

Georges Mikautadze 1+ shot on target

Georges Mikautadze has been a regular goal threat for Villarreal even when he has not started. He has recorded 21 shots and 11 efforts on target across eight LaLiga appearances this season, averaging more than two shots on target per 90 minutes. If he partners Gerard Moreno at Anfield, which he's expected to, the Georgian should have chances to work the Liverpool goalkeeper on the night.

Nathan-Dylan Saliba 1+ foul committed

Nathan-Dylan Saliba's committed four fouls in the league this month when playing against Real Madrid, and we should see a similar thing happen when he's faced with Liverpool’s mobile attacking players on Tuesday night. The Canadian committed two fouls during his two Champions League starts this season, while his work without the ball will be important against the movement of Florian Wirtz and Liverpool’s wide forwards.

Liverpool to win

Liverpool have taken six points from their opening two Champions League matches, scoring eight times across victories over Atletico Madrid and LASK. They also arrive on the back of a 2-1 win at Brentford. Villarreal responded to defeat at Borussia Dortmund by beating Napoli, but Liverpool’s attacking options and home advantage point towards a third European victory.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.