This UEFA Champions League Matchday 6 fixture sees a struggling Villarreal host an F.C. København side looking to secure a chance at continuing their European journey in the knockout round playoffs.
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Competition | UEFA Champions League (League Phase) |
Date | Wednesday, 10 December 2025 |
Kick-off | 17:45 GMT (18:45 CET) |
Venue | Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal |
Match Context and Form
Villarreal enter this match desperately seeking their first win of the Champions League campaign, having collected just one point from five matches. Their European form is in stark contrast to their domestic performance, where they are performing strongly in La Liga. They have suffered three successive defeats without scoring in the UCL, highlighting a significant issue in the final third. They will be heavily motivated to end this poor run in front of their home fans, though their chances of reaching the knockout playoffs are slim.
F.C. København (FCK) have performed slightly better, sitting on four points after securing a crucial 3-2 home win against Kairat Almaty on Matchday 5. That result has given them a chance to climb the overall league phase table. The Danish side's away form in the UCL has historically been challenging, but their recent win provides a boost in confidence. They are likely to employ a defensive, counter-attacking strategy to exploit Villarreal's current defensive vulnerabilities.
Head-to-Head History
This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Villarreal CF and F.C. København. Villarreal holds a strong record against Danish opposition in Spain, while FCK has struggled against Spanish opponents, failing to win in their previous 15 attempts (D6 L9).
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Villarreal will be hampered by several key absences. Defender Juan Foyth is suspended after a red card, and key attacker Gerard Moreno is also a doubt due to fitness concerns, alongside Santiago Mourino. The expected return of Nicolas Pépé and the creative presence of Pape Gueye will be vital for the Spanish side.
FC København are expected to be without Lukas Lerager due to suspension, and Magnus Mattsson remains a long-term absentee. They are likely to rely on the attacking threat of Viktor Dadason and Viktor Claesson up front.
Villarreal (Possible 4-4-2) | F.C. København (Possible 4-4-2) |
|---|---|
Luiz Junior (GK) | Kotarski (GK) |
Navarro, Marin, Veiga, S. Cardona (DF) | Suzuki, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Lopez (DF) |
Buchanan, Parejo, Comesana, Akhomach (MF) | Clem, Lerager, Larsson, Robert (MF) |
Mikautadze, A. Perez (AT) | Claesson, Dadason (AT) |
Key Battle
The game could be decided in midfield, where the control and distribution of Villarreal's Thomas Partey (if fit) and Pape Gueye will clash with the defensive solidity and discipline of FCK's William Clem and Lukas Lerager. If Villarreal can unlock the tight Danish mid-block, they may find joy, but FCK's ability to transition quickly poses a constant threat.
Prediction
Despite their woeful Champions League form, Villarreal's strong domestic performances and home advantage suggest they have the quality to break their winless streak. FCK will be tough to break down, but the "Yellow Submarine" will be desperate to finish their European campaign with a victory.
Villarreal 2-1 F.C. København
