Villarreal vs Ajax Predictions, Betting Tips & Lineups - Back BTTS in the Champions League

Eddy Tora

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Last updated: Mon 19 Jan 2026 14:45

Eddy Tora 19 Jan 2026

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Ajax have conceded 14 goals in their previous 5 games
Villarreal are yet to win in 6 Champions League matches
I am backing BTTS at Estadio de la Ceramica

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Villarreal sit 35th on the Champions League table (Getty)

Villarreal are one of two teams without a win in the Champions League and can’t be trusted any time soon. Ajax are conceding a lot of goals which can contribute to a high scoring game in Spain.

HTH
Villarreal Winless in the Champions League
Ajax Defence Wide Open
Predicted Lineups & Team News

HTH

This will be the first match between Villarreal and Ajax.

Villarreal Winless in the Champions League

Villarreal lost three straight matches in December including a 3-2 home defeat to FC Copenhagen. The loss to the Danish club continued the poor form in the Champions League, yet to win in six games.

The Yellow Submarine got back on track in La Liga, a 3-1 win at Elche and another 3-1 victory over Alaves. Alberto Moleiro and Georges Mikautadze found the net in both wins, Moleiro top scorer this season.

Marcelino’s side battled hard at Real Betis on Friday but couldn’t find the net and were beaten 2-0 in Sevilla. Santi Comesana was sent off in the 76th minute which hurt Villarreal’s chances.

Ajax Defence Wide Open

Ajax won five straight games in December and started 2026 with a 3-2 win at Telstar. They were 3-0 up and played against 10 men before conceding two late goals.

Those defensive lapses have continued in their last two matches. The Amsterdam club suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat at AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Cup, 4-0 down when Owen Wijndal was sent off in the 66th minute.

Fred Grim’s side took a 2-0 half-time lead over Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday and looked set for victory. It wasn’t to be, a 2-2 draw leaving them 18 points behind PSV who top the Eredivisie.

Predicted Lineups & Team News

Villarreal (4-4-2) Luiz Junior; Santiago Mourino, Rafael Marin, Renato Veiga, Alfonso Pedraza; Tajon Buchanan, Santi Comesana, Dani Parejo, Alberto Moleiro; Gerard Moreno, Georges Mikautadze

Centre-backs Willy Kambwala and Logan Costa are injured. Ilias Akhomach and Pape Gueye featured in the AFCON final on Sunday and this one will come too soon.

Ajax (4-3-3) Vitezslav Jaros; Anton Gaaei, Ko Itakura, Aaron Bouwman, Lucas Rosa; Davy Klaassen, Jorthy Mokio, Youri Regeer; Oscar Gloukh, Kasper Dolberg, Mika Godts

Josip Sutalo returned from injury against Go Ahead Eagles but is unlikely to start here, 18-year-old Aaron Bouwman or Youri Baas to partner Ko Itakura in central defence.

Steven Berghuis and Wout Weghorst are injured with Oscar Gloukh to rejoin the front three, alongside Kasper Dolberg and Mika Godts.

Verdict

Villarreal v Ajax

Villarreal and Ajax rarely keep clean sheets, one of the reasons why they are set for an early exit in the Champions League. I am backing BTTS in Spain where a high scoring game is a strong possibility.

BTTS Yes

BTTS

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Eddy was born in Melbourne, Australia and studied at La Trobe University. Eddy writes about a number of sports including football, AFL and NRL. You will find him covering big football matches from around Europe and beyond. Follow Eddy on LinkedIn.