Manchester City take on Villarreal at the El Madrigal in the Champions League, with both sides looking to continue their fine starts to the season.
City have bounced back from two losses in their opening three Premier League games and now sit second in the table, having won their last three — with Erling Haaland in incredible scoring form with 23 goals for club and country already this season.
In Europe, City stumbled last time out late on in a draw at Monaco but are well-placed after an opening night win against Napoli.
Villarreal are yet to win in this season's competition, narrowly losing at Spurs before snatching a last-gasp draw at home to Juventus. However, they sit third in La Liga and head coach Marcelino will fancy his chances of causing an upset against his famous compatriot, Pep Guardiola.
Will Barcelona legend Guardiola and in-form Haaland march on in Spain, or will the Yellow Submarine sink them in this one? AllSportsPeople brings you this betting preview, complete with the latest tips, predictions and odds.
Villarreal vs. Man City: Who Will Win?
With the form Haaland is currently in, it's impossible to back against him, let alone Manchester City.
The Norwegian goal machine has 14 goals in 10 club appearances this season, and has scored all of City's last seven goals as well, as their three in the Champions League so far this season.
Guardiola will be expecting help from elsewhere but even if that does not arrive then City should still have a bit too much here.
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Head-to-Head: Villarreal vs. Man City
- These two clubs have met twice before, in the 2011/12 Champions League group stage.
- City won both, with substitute Sergio Aguero scoring a last-gasp winner in a 2-1 victory at the Etihad before they coasted to a 3-0 win at El Madrigal.
Villarreal vs. Man City Form Guide
Villarreal — Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Villarreal 2-2 Real Betis (La Liga)
- Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal (La Liga)
- Villarreal 2-2 Juventus (Champions League)
- Villarreal 1-0 Athletic Club (La Liga)
- Sevilla 1-2 Villarreal (La Liga)
Man City — Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Man City 2-0 Everton (Premier League)
- Brentford 0-1 Man City (Premier League)
- Monaco 2-2 Man City (Champions League)
- Man City 5-1 Burnley (Premier League)
- Huddersfield 0-2 Man City (League Cup)
Villarreal vs. Man City Score Prediction
While we're backing City to win, we don't expect it to be easy — the Yellow Submarine have not yet lost at home this season and have suffered defeat in only one of their last 10 European games at El Madrigal.
They should test City and we think will probably score. Their problem, like everyone else right now, is that Haaland very likely will as well.
He might not need help but if he gets any, Pep's men should secure the victory.
Prediction: Villarreal 1-3 Man City (12.00 on Dafabet)
MORE: Top October betting events | How odds work | How to bet in-play
Villarreal vs. Man City Team News
Villarreal Team News
- Marcelino has issues in defence, with three centre-backs out in Logan Costa, Juan Foyth and former Man United man Willy Kwambala.
- In better news, right-back Santiago Mourino will return to the lineup after serving a one-game league suspension.
Man City Team News
- Pep Guardiola has both Mateo Kovacic and Rayan Cherki available for selection after they made injury returns in the win over Everton.
- Omar Marmoush returned to the squad for that game but didn't get off the bench and will be hoping for minutes at some stage in Spain.
- John Stones and Bernardo Silva may return to the lineup, with experience needed on a big European night.
Villarreal vs. Man City Predicted Lineups
This is how we think these two sides will line up, with Bernardo Silva and John Stones coming into the City starting XI.
Villarreal predicted lineup to play Man City
(4-3-3) Tenas (GK) — Mourino, Marin, Veiga, Cardona — Gueye, Parejo, Comesana — Pepe, Mikautadze, Buchanan
Man City predicted lineup to play Villarreal
(4-1-4-1) Donnarumma (GK) — Nunes, Stones, Gvardiol, O'Reilly — Gonzalez — Foden, Reijnders, Silva, Doku — Haaland
Villarreal vs. Man City Betting Odds
All odds are via Dafabet
- Villarreal to Win (4.83)
- Man City to Win (1.31)
- Draw (4.26)
Betting Tips: Villarreal vs. Man City
- Best bet: Both teams to score & Man City to win (2.93 with Dafabet)
- Alternative bet: Erling Haaland 2+ goals (5.40 with Dafabet)
Manchester City head into this clash brimming with confidence, unbeaten in their last eight outings and winning six of them. During that run, they've rattled in 18 goals, with Erling Haaland once again leading the charge and showing no signs of slowing down in front of goal.
Villarreal, on the other hand, find themselves in a bit of a rut. They're winless in their last three matches and have collected just a single point from their opening two Champions League fixtures. Currently sitting third in La Liga, the Yellow Submarine have stumbled in recent meetings with Real Betis, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Haaland's red-hot form remains City's biggest weapon — the Norwegian powerhouse has already notched 11 goals in the Premier League and 14 across all competitions. Villarreal can still pack a punch going forward, though, having scored 10 goals in their last six games and averaging 1.63 per match this season.
Given both sides' attacking tendencies, the smart money looks to be on both teams finding the net, but with City's firepower and momentum, Pep Guardiola's men should have too much in the end.
How to watch Villarreal vs. Man City: Live stream, TV channel
Here's all the key information on how to watch Villarreal vs. Man City tonight.
- Date: Wednesday, October 22
- Venue: Estadio de la Ceramica (El Madrigal, Villarreal)
- Time: 12:30 a.m. IST
- TV/Stream: Sony Sports Network