Tottenham Hotspur open their Champions League campaign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when they host Villarreal in the first-ever European meeting between the clubs. Spurs arrive off an impressive 3-0 victory over West Ham, which displayed their attacking threat, while the Yellow Submarine looks to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid.
Where to Watch Tottenham vs Villarreal
Supporters in the United Kingdom can tune in on Amazon Prime Video, with United States viewers able to watch via Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video. India fans should catch the action on Sony Sports Network. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM BST, 3:00 PM ET, 10:15 PM IST, and 2:45 AM AEST on Tuesday, September 16.
Probable Starting Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur
GK: Guglielmo Vicario
Defenders: Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie
Midfielders: João Palhinha, Lucas Bergvall, Xavi Simons
Forwards: Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert
Villarreal
GK: Luiz Júnior
Defenders: Santiago Mouriño, Juan Foyth, Arnau Tenas, Sergi Cardona
Midfielders: Tajon Buchanan, Pape Gueye, Santi Comesaña, Alberto Moleiro
Forwards: Nicolas Pépé, Georges Mikautadze
Current Form
Tottenham’s convincing victory over West Ham extended their unbeaten start in the Premier League. Kudus and Richarlison’s finishing has been clinical. Manager Thomas Frank is set to make his Champions League managerial debut. However, striker Dominic Solanke remains sidelined with an ankle issue, missing out on this fixture.
MATCHDAY 🌟
🆚 Villarreal
🏟️ @SpursStadium
🏆 @ChampionsLeague
⏰ 8pm BST pic.twitter.com/xYJSHn5332— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 16, 2025
Villarreal kick off the UCL campaign after a setback at Atlético Madrid, where a disciplined Diego Simeone side got the better of their attacking shape. The Spaniards have quality across midfield with Partey and Parejo offering Champions League experience, yet defensive injuries to Logan Costa and Willy Kambwala limit Marcelino’s options at the back.
Key Battles in Tottenham vs. Villarreal
João Palhinha vs Thomas Partey: Spurs’ midfielder faces a seasoned Champions League campaigner in Partey as both seeks to dominate midfield duels and dictate tempo.
Mohammed Kudus vs Juan Foyth: Kudus’ direct running and dribbling skills come up against Foyth’s positional reading and strength in one-on-one situations.
Richarlison vs Sergi Cardona: Richarlison’s intelligence in the box will test Cardona’s defensive composure and aerial timing.
Tactical Analysis
Tottenham will aim to press high and transition quickly through Simons and Bergvall, with Palhinha providing cover to launch counter-presses. Set-pieces are likely to be a key weapon, with Romero and van de Ven offering aerial danger both defensively and offensively.
𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀.#UCL pic.twitter.com/EmAbdE6VNR
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) September 16, 2025
Villarreal will look to control possession in midfield, using Gueye’s and Parejo’s playmaking to create openings. Their back four intends to maintain a compact shape and invite Spurs onto them before striking on the counter, with Pépé’s movement and Guirassy’s hold-up play the focal points.
Prediction for Tottenham vs. Villarreal
Home advantage and recent form give Tottenham the edge, especially with Villarreal’s defensive absences. Expect Spurs to dominate possession and create the most of the chances, turning a tight contest into a 2-1 win. Villarreal’s resilience means they’ll threaten on the break, but North London should provide too stern a test for the Yellow Submarine.
