Matchday 7 fixture of the group stage of the 2025/26 Champions League between Villarreal and Ajax will take place on 20 January at Estadio de la Cerámica. Villarreal vs Ajax: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Villarreal
Villarreal has clearly had a very poor Champions League season so far. After six matches the home side has failed to win and has picked up only 1 point, drawing with Juventus early in October (2:2). Since the game with the Italians the home team has suffered four defeats in a row, and in three matches the side lost to nil. In total in the current Champions League campaign the home team has scored 4 goals, a worse record only than Slavia Prague (2 goals). In the table Villarreal are ahead of only Kairat, who are behind on goal difference. Essentially the home side is no longer competing for a place in the knockout rounds, and in the remaining group matches the club can only earn additional prize money.
- The club's winless run in the Champions League stands at 9 matches (2 draws, 7 defeats).
- At least 2 goals were scored in 7 of Villarreal's 9 most recent games in this European competition.
- The home team conceded in 6 of their last 7 Champions League home matches.
Potential Villarreal Lineup (4-4-2)
Luis Junior – Rafa Marín, Sergi Cardona, Renato Veiga, Pau Navarro – Nicolas Pepe, Thomas Partey, Santi Comesaña, Alberto Moleiro – Tani Oluwaseyi, Ayoze Perez.
Midfielders Ilyas Ahomash and Pape Guie have rested after participating in the Africa Cup of Nations; the Senegalese midfielder also faces a suspension due to accumulation of yellow cards. Defender Willy Kambwala will not be available due to injury.
Ajax
Ajax began its Champions League campaign with five successive defeats, but in the final round the visiting team ended that run with an important away victory over Qarabag (4:2). Ajax moved off the bottom of the table and preserved theoretical chances of reaching the playoff zone. However, only two matches remain, and the club is 4 points short of 2nd place. In the event of a defeat to Villarreal there will be no chance of reaching the knockout rounds. It is worth noting that in the current European season the Amsterdam side has yet to keep a clean sheet; in total they have conceded 18 goals, the worst record in the competition.
- Both teams scored in 9 of Ajax's last 10 Champions League away matches.
- The club's uncompromising run in this European campaign stands at 13 matches (3 wins, 10 defeats).
- At least 2 goals have been scored in 12 of the Amsterdam side's Champions League matches.
Potential Ajax Lineup (4-3-3)
Vitezslav Yarosh – Anton Goei, Ko Itakura, Josip Sutalo, Lucas Rosa – Yuri Reger, Davy Klaassen, Oskar Gloukh – Ryan Bunida, Mika Godts, Kasper Dolberg.
Defender Yuri Baas, midfielder Steven Bergwijn and forward Wout Weghorst are injured.
Referee
Nicholas Walsh (Scotland)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow Cards Shown (including second yellows) – 40;
Average Yellow Cards Per Match – 4.4
Red Cards Shown – 0;
Average Fouls Per Match – 26;
Penalties – 33%.
Villarreal vs Ajax: Match Prediction
Villarreal remain one of four clubs that still have not recorded a win in the group stage. With two rounds remaining the home side has collected only 1 point, and after the single draw with Juventus they have lost four matches in a row. The team has yet to keep a clean sheet, and at the same time we see modest attacking output. The situation is so bleak that Villarreal effectively lack tournament motivation. Overall the club's winless run in the Champions League has reached 9 matches (2 draws, 7 defeats).
Ajax, after a terrible start, finally secured their first points in the Champions League by beating Qarabag (4:2). That result preserved theoretical hopes of advancing, but to fight for that spot the visitors must win both remaining matches. It is worth noting that over many years Ajax rarely collapse on the road. In their last 28 away Champions League matches the club has suffered only 5 defeats, and they lost by a margin of 2 goals or more on just 3 occasions.
Prediction: Ajax (+1.5)
