We predict a slender victory for Liverpool, while each of our three picks includes a live-checked UK price and a stated explanation. All selections are our views.Our top Liverpool vs Villarreal betting tips at a glanceSelectionOddsWhyLiverpool to win and both teams to score7/5Liverpool should prove too strong without keeping clean sheetLiverpool to win the first half10/11Villarreal have struggled in first halves this seasonAlexander Isak anytime scorerEvensIsak has scored five goals in his last seven gamesLiverpool vs Villarreal match previewLiverpool have had a curious start to the season. Andoni Iraola’s side are fifth in the Premier League having only lost once so far. They boast a 100 percent record in the Champions League and are through to the fourth round of the EFL Cup.Yet we are still waiting for a truly convincing run of form from the Reds. Even when they have won games, they have not always played well.On Saturday, for instance, Liverpool were 1-0 down to Brentford when their opponents were reduced to 10 men. That red card proved to be the turning point, giving Liverpool a route back into a game in which they had previously struggled to make an impression.A few days earlier, Liverpool turned on the attacking style against LASK in the Champions League, yet the concession of three goals in that 6-3 victory meant it was not a perfect night in Austria.Overall, Iraola will be broadly pleased with the results his team have registered up to now, but there is clearly room for improvement in terms of performances.Even with the uncertainty over current Premier League leaders Manchester City, it will be tough for Liverpool to mount a sustained title tilt this term.Perhaps an inconsistent side like Liverpool will actually be better suited to the Champions League.Team formLiverpool have won four of their last five games in all competitions, while they boast a 100 percent record in the Champions League. Villarreal’s only defeat in their last five outings was a narrow 1-0 loss to Real Madrid.TeamLast 5Goals forGoals againstBTTSLiverpoolW W L W W1283/5VillarrealD W L W W943/5Ongoing injuriesGiovanni Leoni is still missing as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury, while Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley will not return for Liverpool until 2027. Villarreal need to assess Nicolas Pepe in the run-up to Tuesday, but Tajon Buchanan is a confirmed absentee.Head-to-head recordLiverpool beat Villarreal 5-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2021/22. There have only ever been four competitive meetings between these two teams, with Liverpool boasting three wins to Villarreal’s one.DateCompetitionFixtureResultMay 2022Champions LeagueVillarreal vs Liverpool2-3Apr 2022Champions LeagueLiverpool vs Villarreal2-0May 2016Europa LeagueLiverpool vs Villarreal3-0Apr 2016Europa LeagueVillarreal vs Liverpool1-0Team news and predicted line-upsLiverpool have Ryan Gravenberch available for selection after he missed the Brentford game through suspension. Cody Gakpo is fit again but likely to begin this one on the bench. Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Munoz, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.Villarreal predicted XI: Junior; Mourino, Navarro, Veiga, Romero; Saliba, Comesana, Gueye, Moleiro; Gerard, Mikautadze.Liverpool vs Villarreal match predictionOnline betting apps rate Liverpool as the favourites. We believe the Reds will triumph, but they are unlikely to have everything their own way: Liverpool 2-1 Villarreal.Liverpool vs Villarreal betting tipsLiverpool return to Champions League action at Anfield with Villarreal the visitors.Will Liverpool do job?Although Liverpool were given a helping hand by Brentford at the weekend, there were still positives to take from their display.Even so, Liverpool are finding it difficult to strike the right balance between attack and defence. Whenever they take more risks in search of goals, they leave themselves more exposed at the other end.Liverpool have now gone three matches without a clean sheet, a statistic which gives Villarreal hope for Tuesday’s tussle at Anfield.The Spanish side have scored five goals in two Champions League games this term, but they are likely to come unstuck in this one. Back Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 7/5 with Sky Bet Liverpool seek early leadLiverpool were slow out of the blocks against Brentford and went in at the break 1-0 down.Their record from minutes one to 45 is average in the Premier League: Liverpool rank 15th in the first-half table as things stand.However, they started quickly against LASK last week and playing under the floodlights at Anfield should help them take control early on.Moreover, Villarreal have also been slow starters this term, leading at the interval in only one of nine La Liga matches. Tip Liverpool to win the first half at 10/11 with SBK Isak getting goalsAlexander Isak had a really difficult debut campaign at Liverpool, but he appears to have turned a corner.The Sweden international has already beaten his goal tally for the entirety of last term, with Saturday’s strike against Brentford his fifth of the season (he struck four times in 2025/26).Isak is still not at his best. He might be scoring goals now, but he is not necessarily impacting games in other areas like he did at Newcastle United.However, the most important thing is that he continues to put the ball in the back of the net for Liverpool. We expect him to do that again on Tuesday. Go for Alexander Isak to score any time at evens with 247Bet Where and when to watch in the UKDate: Tuesday 20th October.Kick-off: 8pm.Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England.Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video.Key statsLiverpool’s two Champions League matches so far this season have produced 12 goals.Villarreal have not reached the knockout phase of the Champions League since they faced Liverpool in the semi-finals of 2021/22.Villarreal have failed to win five of their six away games in all competitions this season.FAQBelow you will find the answers to some frequently asked questions about the upcoming game.Who is the referee for the fixture?The referee for Liverpool vs Villarreal is Szymon Marciniak.Where will the fixture take place?Liverpool vs Villarreal will take place at Anfield in Liverpool, England.What is the weather forecast for kick-off?The weather forecast for Liverpool vs Villarreal is 10 degrees and light rain.More Champions League predictionsWe have plenty more Champions League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.About the authorGreg LeaGreg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootballCommercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.