Will Reilly previews Tuesday’s standout Champions League tie at the Metropolitano.
Atletico Madrid v Man United Tips
- Atletico Madrid to win (9/10)
- Atletico Madrid to win and under 2.5 goals (5/1)
- Score prediction: 2-0 (9/1)
Atletico Madrid v Man Utd Preview
So far, Man Utd’s campaign has not gone to plan. The feel-good factor generated by Michael Carrick last season has gone missing. It needs to return soon, or the heat will be turned up even further on the head coach.
A big concern for United fans has been a lack of energy in their team’s performances. Attempts to turn this around will be severely tested by Atletico Madrid, a team renowned under Diego Simeone for its aggressive and passionate qualities, particularly at home.
Into this cauldron will step a United side desperate to get their season rolling. Two wins from their first eight games (all comps) is a modest return, particularly when you add in the fact that they have failed to beat teams in the bottom-three in the Premier League table – Fulham and Tottenham – in their last two matches. In fact, Tottenham were unfortunate not to get a win at Old Trafford on Saturday.
– View our latest Football markets.
Goals – Man Utd
With four goals in seven starts this season, Bruno Fernandes has already found his scoring touch, although this does include a hat-trick against Ipswich. Bryan Mbeumo has also begun the campaign well (three goals in his last six starts).
Following Tuesday’s match, United will play three away games in their next four games, at Leeds, Como and Chelsea. The pressure would continue to grow on Carrick if things go poorly during this time.
Atléti in good form
By contrast, Atléti have won six of their nine matches (all comps) this season, losing twice, which includes a Champions League defeat (2-1) to Liverpool at Anfield. They are currently second in the La Liga table, five points behind Barcelona, who have won all eight of their league matches so far, scoring 34 goals in the process. Atléti have scored 18.
Atléti have won their last four league matches, scoring eleven goals and conceding two. This includes a 2-1 home victory against fierce city rivals Real Madrid on September 20. They will go into Tuesday’s match in good spirits.
Goals – Atléti
Alejandro Grimaldo has scored three in his last four starts (two of them penalties), as has Jonathan David, but eight players in total have chipped in with goals this season, including two from the boss’s son, Giuliano, who epitomises the energy and commitment his father demands.
With older warriors like Jan Oblak and Koke still around to ensure that standards don’t drop, United’s players will have their competitive natures put to the test on Tuesday night at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Team News
Man Utd
Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw face fitness tests. Neither player took part in Monday’s open training session.
Interestingly, Matthijs de Ligt, who has not played in almost a year owing to back problems, took part in the session.
Benjamin Šeško (lower leg) and Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) will miss the match, and Noussair Mazraoui‘s participation is very doubtful owing to a back injury picked up on international duty.
Manuel Ugarte (knee) will also miss out.
Atletico Madrid
No major injury concerns, and the rift with Julián Álvarez has been patched up, although he has started just one game for Atléti this season, which came against Liverpool in their Champions League defeat.
He has, though, been introduced from the bench in Atléti’s last two league matches. Furthermore, he played for an hour in Argentina’s recent 3-0 win over Benin on Oct 7th – Lionel Messi’s final international appearance – and for 45 minutes against Burkina Faso on October 7, scoring in the 7-0 win. He also played a full 90 minutes against Bolivia on October 1, a match that Argentina won 4-0.
Predicted Lineups
Atletico Madrid XI (Predicted): Oblak; Pubill, Romero, Hancko, Grimaldo; Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Baena; Lee, Álvarez.
Man United XI (Predicted):
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha.
Unbeaten
Atléti have never lost to United in a competitive match (2 wins, 2 draws), with the matches being played in 1991 and 2022.
Atléti have lost only two of their 19 home matches against English teams (won 9, drawn 8).
United have lost only one of their last 11 matches against Spanish opponents (won 7, drawn 3).
Prediction
A buoyant Atléti team could be too hot for United to handle, and they will be roared on by passionate fans, creating quite a hostile atmosphere. Some players thrive under such circumstances; others are overawed. It will be no place for shrinking violets on Tuesday. If only Carrick were still playing.
Struggling for rhythm and confidence, United face a stern challenge.
Atletico Madrid v Man United Tips
- Atletico Madrid to win (9/10)
- Atletico Madrid to win and under 2.5 goals (5/1)
- Score prediction: 2-0 (9/1)
Atletico Madrid v Man United Key Details
When is Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United?
Atletico Madrid host Manchester United on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00.
Where is Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United being played?
The Champions League clash will take place at the Estadio Metropolitano, Atletico Madrid’s home ground in the Spanish capital.
What channel is Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United on?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on Amazon Prime Video. In Ireland, the game is live on Premier Sports 1.
What are the betting odds for Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United?
9/10 Atletico Madrid, 51/20 Man United, 14/5 the draw. Full markets.
More Football News & Tips
- Coventry vs Newcastle Tips: Magpies to Take Advantage of Sky Blues’ Home Woes
- SHAMROCK ROVERS v BOHEMIANS TIPS: Back Whelan to Score Again in Season-Defining Clash
- When Is the Champions League Back? Next Fixtures, Dates & Kick-Off Times
- PSG to give Man City guard of honour after being made to look like football’s good guys
- Champions League Tips: Tuesday’s 29/1 Five-Fold Accumulator
