Tuesday’s showdown comes under scrutiny in our Tottenham vs Villarreal prediction and preview – can Thomas Frank claim his first Champions League win?
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Tottenham vs Villarreal: Preview
Thomas Frank will be eager to mark his Champions League debut with victory as Tottenham welcome Villarreal for their European campaign opener.
Saturday’s commanding 3-0 triumph against West Ham extended Frank’s impressive run to three wins from four Premier League fixtures, although Tuesday’s continental test will present entirely different obstacles for the Spurs manager.
Frank’s sole prior European managerial experience occurred during Europa League qualifying rounds with his previous club Brøndby IF. The Danish tactician managed only three victories from 10 European encounters (D4 L3) before his 2018 switch to Brentford.
Spurs have been absent from the Champions League since their 2022-23 participation. The North London outfit earned qualification for this tournament following their Europa League triumph last term under Ange Postecoglou, who was later dismissed from his position.
Tottenham must discover fresh sources of goals in attack. The departed partnership of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, who combined for 37 Champions League strikes in Spurs colors, contributed 42% of Tottenham’s 89 goals in this competition dating back to 1992-93.
Richarlison represents one attacking option who could assume greater responsibility. The Brazilian’s two Champions League goals for Tottenham establish him as the sole current squad member to have netted multiple times for the club in European competition.
Loan signing Randal Kolo Muani might also shoulder some attacking duties as he prepares to represent a fourth different club in the Champions League since 2022-23 began. Having previously featured for Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, no current Champions League participant has turned out for as many teams during this timeframe.
The French striker’s former employers Eintracht, along with reigning champions and parent club PSG, feature among what Opta’s Power Rankings identified as the most favorable fixture list of any team in the eight-match league phase for Spurs.
A positive start could prove crucial for advancement, yet Spurs have claimed opening-game victories in just two of their seven European Cup/Champions League campaigns (D2 L3).
Nevertheless, both successful debuts occurred in their most recent two campaigns when hosting their initial fixture. They defeated Marseille 2-0 in 2022-23 and secured a 3-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund in 2017-18, with Dortmund set to return to North London during the 2025-26 league phase.
Villarreal, who secured fifth place in last season’s La Liga, have been absent from this tournament since their 2021-22 semi-final appearance, where Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp eliminated them 5-2 across both legs.
That achievement made them the seventh distinct Spanish club to reach the European Cup/Champions League semi-finals, joining Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Real Sociedad, Valencia, and Deportivo de La Coruña in this exclusive group.
Spurs must also prepare for a reunion with Juan Foyth, who returns to North London wearing Villarreal’s yellow. Foyth holds the distinction of being Tottenham’s youngest player to start a home Champions League fixture, making his European debut at 19 years and 328 days against APOEL Nicosia in December 2017.
In attack, Georges Mikautadze‘s summer acquisition has strengthened Marcelino’s offensive options. The Georgian forward has contributed to seven goals across eight major European starts (four goals, three assists), all achieved during Lyon’s Europa League campaign last term.
Mikautadze featured in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Atlético on his debut, while strike partner Gerard Moreno was unavailable due to injury for that La Liga encounter. Logan Costa, Willy Kambwala and Pau Cabanes remain on the treatment table.
Spurs’ injury situation remains unchanged, with James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, Dominic Solanke and Yves Bissouma all still unavailable. Summer acquisition Xavi Simons opened his account with an assist on his West Ham debut Saturday and is anticipated to retain his starting position.
Tottenham vs Villarreal: Head-to-Head
This marks the inaugural European encounter between these clubs, although Spurs have struggled against Spanish teams recently, managing only one victory in their previous 13 continental meetings with La Liga opposition (D5 L7).
Conversely, Villarreal’s record against English clubs tells an even starker story, having failed to secure victory in any of their 14 European fixtures against Premier League sides (D6 L8).
The Yellow Submarine’s struggles continue with seven consecutive defeats to English opposition in European competition, with more than half of their Champions League losses attributed to such encounters (57% – 8/14).
Nevertheless, Marcelino’s team has shown resilience in Champions League openers specifically against English clubs. They earned scoreless stalemates with Manchester United in their campaign debuts during both 2005-06 and 2008-09.
Tottenham vs Villarreal: Team News and Predicted Lineups
Tottenham – Team News
Frank faces mandatory alterations to his starting eleven after Mathys Tel’s controversial exclusion from the European squad list, despite spearheading the attack in the West Ham victory.
With Solanke’s injury concerns persisting, the door opens for Kolo Muani’s potential bow following his deadline-day loan switch from Paris Saint-Germain, though Richarlison appears the frontrunner for the striker’s role. The Dutch playmaker’s weekend introduction at the London Stadium raises questions about whether he can mark his home debut with a goal.
Saturday’s impressive performance from the Netherlands international, who operated from the left flank while providing the assist for Sarr’s opening strike, suggests tactical flexibility could be employed against Villarreal.
Frank appears ready to rotate his midfield options, with Sarr’s excellent early-season form potentially earning him some rest after his standout displays.
The left defensive flank may see wholesale changes, as Udogie offers enhanced attacking thrust and natural balance compared to Spence’s inverted positioning. Odobert awaits his maiden Champions League opportunity and could feature from kick-off.
Brazilian forward Richarlison emerges as the leading candidate to lead the line given Tel’s squad omission and Solanke’s continued absence, while Kolo Muani’s non-appearance against the Hammers suggests he requires more integration time, despite Frank’s assurances about his involvement.
The long-term unavailability of Maddison and Kulusevski continues to limit Frank’s selection options.
Tottenham – Predicted XI (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Vicario
- Defenders: Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie
- Midfielders: Palhinha, Bergvall, Simons
- Forwards: Kudus, Richarlison, Odobert
Villarreal – Team News
The visiting squad features recognizable faces from North London’s recent past, with ex-Arsenal pair Pépé and Partey set to line up against Spurs, though the latter’s presence carries significant off-field baggage given ongoing legal proceedings.
Marcelino’s selection options remain limited by injury setbacks, as central defender Kambwala continues his recovery from a hamstring problem while key forward Moreno remains unavailable. Solomon’s potential involvement adds intrigue as he faces his temporary employers, just as Foyth prepares for an emotional homecoming to his former stomping ground.
The Ivorian winger’s exceptional start to the campaign earned him La Liga’s Player of the Month recognition for August, with Marcelino deploying him in an advanced striking role within his preferred 4-4-2 system to compensate for Moreno’s absence.
Long-term knee complaints continue to sideline both Costa and Cabanes, leaving defensive gaps in the squad. The former Manchester United centre-back Kambwala’s muscular injury adds to these concerns. Foyth’s leadership qualities see him wearing the captain’s armband for the visitors’ return to his old home.
The Israeli winger remains without a competitive appearance since his late transfer window arrival but has been cleared to participate against Tottenham despite his loan arrangement with the club.
Villarreal – Predicted XI (4-4-2)
- Goalkeeper: Júnior
- Defenders: Mouriño, Foyth, Veiga, Cardona
- Midfielders: Buchanan, Partey, Parejo, Moleiro
- Forwards: Pépé, Mikautadze
Tottenham vs Villarreal: Prediction
This represents a deceptively challenging encounter for Tottenham against opponents guided by the tactically astute Marcelino.
The Yellow Submarine have demonstrated throughout this campaign their ability to dominate possession and dictate tempo through intelligent ball circulation, yet Saturday’s capital clash exposed vulnerabilities as Atlético Madrid systematically dismantled their compact defensive structure.
Frank’s side enters this fixture buoyed by an impressive three victories from four Premier League outings, with their set-piece prowess likely to prove decisive once again. Nevertheless, the Spurs boss must address several tactical concerns, suggesting his team may endure difficult spells during Tuesday’s proceedings.
While the evening promises to test Tottenham’s resilience, their superior attacking options should ultimately prove the difference against the visiting Spaniards, even if the margin of victory remains narrow.
Prediction: Tottenham 2–1 Villarreal
When and Where to Watch Tottenham vs Villarreal in India? Broadcast and Streaming Details
Indian football enthusiasts can witness the Tottenham vs Villarreal Champions League encounter live on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 AM IST (late night Tuesday/early Wednesday morning) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. The match will be broadcast live across Sony Sports Network’s extensive channel lineup, including Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 1 HD, Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 2 HD, Sony Ten 3, Sony Ten 3 HD, Sony Ten 5, and Sony Ten 5 HD.
Digital streaming will be available exclusively on Sony LIV, which requires a premium subscription for access to Champions League content. JioTV subscribers can also stream the fixture as part of their partnership with Sony Sports Network, providing an additional viewing option for the late-night kickoff. This marks the first competitive meeting between these two historic clubs, making it essential viewing for Indian football fans despite the challenging broadcast time, with Sony’s comprehensive multi-platform coverage ensuring accessibility across television and digital streaming services.
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FAQs
What time does Tottenham vs Villarreal kick off in India?
The match kicks off at 12:30 AM IST on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 (late Tuesday night).
Which channels will broadcast the match in India?
Sony Sports Network channels including Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 3, and Sony Ten 5 (all HD versions available) will telecast the game live.
Can I stream the match online in India?
Yes, the match will be available for live streaming on Sony LIV and JioTV, both requiring valid subscriptions.
Is this the first time these teams are meeting competitively?
Yes, this will be the inaugural competitive encounter between Tottenham and Villarreal in European competition.
Who are the key players to watch in this fixture?
For Tottenham: Xavi Simons, Richarlison, and Randal Kolo Muani. For Villarreal: Nicolas Pépé, Juan Foyth (ex-Spurs), and Georges Mikautadze.
