Verdict: Villarreal win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Desperate to put a maiden Champions League victory on the board, Villarreal will welcome FC Copenhagen to the Estadio de la Ceramica on Wednesday night.
Villarreal
Starting with the hosts, last seen over the weekend putting in a routine display as they clinched a 2-0 victory at home against Getafe, Villarreal have won each of their previous eight consecutive domestic appearances and have embarked on a sensational La Liga romp. However, despite currently being sat in bronze medal position among Spain’s elite, the Yellow Submarine are enduring a public domestic crisis. Putting in a woeful Champions League performance a fortnight ago as they slumped to a 4-0 drumming away at German giants Borussia Dortmund, Marcelino’s men have put just a single point on the board from any of their first five European showdowns. Appearing to be in search of a real miracle in the race to book a knockout stage ticket, Villarreal face what is a must-win battle on Wednesday night.
Villarreal Team News
Yet to make a single appearance so far this season, former Manchester United youngster Willy Kambwala remains on the sidelines with a long-term hamstring injury. However, despite missing out against Getafe over the weekend, Villarreal could welcome back ex-Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey.
Shown a Champions League red card away at Borussia Dortmund a fortnight ago, one-time Tottenham defender Juan Foyth will miss out through suspension here. Completing a permanent switch from Chelsea over the summer, Renato Viega will start at the heart of Marcelino’s defence.
FC Copenhagen
As for the visitors, making an immediate return to losing ways over the weekend as they slumped to a worrying 2-0 loss at home against Sonderyske, Copenhagen have failed to find any real fluidity on either side of November’s international break. Signing off November with another 2-0 defeat at the hands of Aarhus, Jacob Neestrup’s side have also shown some real issues away from the Parken Stadium. Including a 4-0 European drumming away at Premier League outfit Tottenham last month, the Lions have lost three other previous four showdowns on the road and they are once again pencilled in as a real underdog contender here. Likewise, missing out on what they had billed as a potential opportunity on October 1st as they fell to a 2-0 loss against Qarabag, Copenhagen have also lost five of their last seven away fixtures.
FC Copenhagen Team News
Both still dealing with respective knee injuries, Copenhagen will travel to Spain on Wednesday night without the duo of Magnus Mattsson and Mexican international Rodrigo Huescas. However, serving a one-match domestic suspension over the weekend, former Southampton star Mohamed Elyounoussi will return to Neestrup’s squad.
Bagging a sensational Champions League strike against Kairat Almaty a fortnight ago, 17-year-old Viktor Dadason should be handed a full recall and the chance to spearhead Copenhagen’s attack. Making a permanent switch from Borussia Dortmund over the summer, Youssouf Moukoko will settle for a spot on the bench.
Villarreal vs FC Copenhagen Key Factors to Consider
- Wednesday’s showdown at the Estadio de la Ceramica will be the first meeting between Villarreal and FC Copenhagen.
- Villarreal have collected just one-point from any of their first five Champions League appearances this season.
- However, Villarreal have won each of their previous three showdowns at the Estadio de la Ceramica by an aggregate score of 8-1.
- Along with losing three of their last four matchups away from the Parken Stadium, Copenhagen have also lost five of their previous seven away fixtures.
- Copenhagen have recorded just a single clean sheet on their travels since the start of August.
Conclusion
Remarkably putting just one-point on the board from any of their first five Champions League appearances, Villarreal find their knockout stage dreams hanging by a thread. Facing what is a must-win showdown when they return to the Estadio de la Ceramica on Wednesday night, Marcelino’s men have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders here. However, meeting a Copenhagen squad who have continued to show some rather glaring issues on the road, we are backing the Yellow Submarine to claim a maiden European victory in midweek.
Verdict: Villarreal win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
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