The Matchday 4 clash in the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Pafos (Cyprus) and Villarreal (Spain) will take place on November 5 at the Alphamega Stadium in Limassol. Pafos vs. Villarreal: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Pafos
The Cypriots are among the teams yet to secure a win in the main tournament of the Champions League. Pafos has recorded two goalless draws against Olympiacos and Kairat, and suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat to Bayern in between. The club has played only one home match, which ended in their only loss. Including qualification, the team's winless streak in the Champions League stands at four matches (3 draws, 1 loss). In the overall standings, the Cypriots are in 29th place. The main issue is low scoring, with Juan Carlos Carcedo's side managing just one goal in the first three rounds, the worst result in the Champions League alongside three other clubs. Early dismissals in the games against Kairat and Olympiacos played a role, as Pafos played with a full squad in all other previous seven matches in the Champions League and scored in each.
- No more than 2 goals have been scored in 7 of the club's last 9 Champions League matches.
- Pafos has not lost in 8 of their last 9 encounters in this European competition (4 wins, 4 draws).
- The team has not conceded more than 1 goal in 8 of their last 9 Champions League games.
Predicted lineup for Pafos (4-3-3)
Neofytos Michail – David Gomez Goldar, Derrick Luckassen, David Luiz, Bruno – Domingos Quina, Vlad Dragomir, Pepe Rodrigues – Mislav Orsic, Jaja, Anderson.
Defender Joao Correia is suspended. Midfielder Ivan Sunjic's participation in the match is in doubt.
Villarreal
The Spaniards are also without a win in the main stage of the Champions League, having collected one point less than Pafos. Only Benfica and Ajax have fewer points. Villarreal is currently in 31st place in the standings. However, their challenging schedule should be considered, with opponents like Tottenham, Juventus, and Manchester City. The club has not won in six Champions League matches (2 draws, 4 losses), and their streak without a clean sheet in this European competition has lasted just as long. Notably, Marcelino Garcia's side has not been very prolific, scoring only two goals this Champions League season, both in the home game against Juventus.
- The team has not won in 10 of their last 13 away Champions League matches (1 draw, 9 losses).
- At least 2 goals have been scored in 13 of the Spaniards' last 15 matches in this tournament.
- Villarreal has not scored more than 1 goal in 10 of their last 13 away games in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Villarreal (4-4-2)
Luiz Junior – Juan Foyth, Sergi Cardona, Santiago Mourino, Renato Veiga – Thomas Partey, Santi Comesana, Pape Gueye, Tajon Buchanan – Georges Mikautadze, Nicolas Pepe.
Defenders Logan Costa and Willy Kambwala are sidelined due to injuries.
Referee
Sven Jablonski (Germany)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 37;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 19;
Penalties – 0%.
Match Prediction: Pafos vs. Villarreal
Pafos has faced scoring challenges in the main stage of the Champions League, largely due to early dismissals in two away matches. In their only home game, the Cypriots scored against Bayern, and overall, they have found the net in all of their last four home matches in this tournament. In all competitions, Juan Carlos Carcedo's side has failed to score in only 2 of their last 9 Champions League matches – those were the instances when Pafos played most of the match with a numerical disadvantage.
Villarreal has yet to keep a clean sheet in this Champions League campaign. Overall, the team has failed to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive matches in this European competition. Not conceding on foreign soil is a particularly difficult task for the Spaniards. The club has conceded at least 1 goal in 15 of their last 16 away Champions League games.
It is likely that the hosts will find an opportunity to break through the opponent's defense. Prediction: Pafos to score – yes
