Atletico Madrid face Manchester United in Champions League test as 1.92 market attracts attention

After more than a month away because of the international break, the UEFA Champions League returns this week with the second round of the league phase. Atletico de Madrid host Manchester United at Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, at 19:00 GMT, with Nasser Eddy, NCI Sport consultant and presenter of the European Champions League on radio Nostalgie, providing his assessment and predictions.

Atletico arrive in strong domestic form despite losing 2-1 at Liverpool in their opening Champions League match. Diego Simeone’s side are second in La Liga behind FC Barcelona and above Real Madrid, and have won four successive league matches, scoring 11 goals and conceding two. That run includes victory in the Madrid derby.

The Spanish side had scored at least twice in each of their first three league matches before a 3-0 defeat by Athletic Bilbao and the loss at Anfield. They now return to home territory, where support from their fans could be important for a team known for competing until the final whistle.

Atletico have scored nine of their past 11 goals in the second half. Jonathan David has contributed either a goal or an assist in each of those matches. The Rojiblancos have also won the corner count in each of their past three games, including a 10-0 advantage over Deportivo Alaves on Saturday. Those figures underline how Simeone’s approach has developed beyond its former focus on defensive strength.

Manchester United return to a competition they have won three times after several seasons away from the top level of European football. Their current form is less encouraging, however, with one league victory in six matches and four games without a win in all competitions. Their latest result was a 1-1 draw with Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday.

United did make an ideal start to this Champions League campaign, beating the less experienced Sabah 4-0. The trip to Madrid will provide a much tougher examination of the side’s current level against recent regulars in the latter stages of European competition.

Amad Diallo has returned from injury, but United have struggled to maintain their level and finish matches strongly. Five of their six most recent goals conceded in all competitions have come after half-time. They have scored in each of their past three matches and average more than six corners per game during that sequence.

The clubs last met in the Champions League four and a half years ago, in the last 16. Atletico drew 1-1 at home in February 2022 before winning 1-0 at Old Trafford in March, with Renan Lodi scoring from Antoine Griezmann’s assist. In a pre-season meeting on 1 August, Manchester United won 2-1, Bryan Mbeumo scoring both goals.

David, who joined Atletico after a mixed season at Juventus Turin, has quickly become central to Simeone’s attack. He scored the winner against Real Madrid on 20 September and set up Grimaldo at Alaves. The Canada striker has three goals and two assists in four La Liga appearances, although he did not score during his little more than 15 minutes at Liverpool.

Key 1xBet prices include Atletico Madrid to win at 2, a 2-1 score at 7.5, both teams to score at 1.44, Atletico to score first in the second half at 1.92, David to score at any time at 2.35, and over 10.5 total corners at 2.39.

The prediction is for a close match ending in an Atletico victory, with both teams scoring. David is also backed to find the net, while more than 10.5 corners is considered plausible. Odds may change.