Atlético Madrid v Manchester United: Champions League preview

The table split

United's opening win gives them four places in the top six and a goal difference of plus-four. A second victory would take them to six points from two matches and consolidate a position among the early pacesetters. Atlético began with a defeat and sit toward the foot of the 36-team table; three points here would move them to three from two, while another loss leaves them on zero from two. The market prices the home side fractionally stronger, 50 per cent to United's 24.8, but the gap between the probabilities is narrower than the gap in the table.

Atlético have won four of their last five recent matches, United one. The contrast in domestic rhythm is sharper than the European standings suggest, though neither sequence includes a competition label and the relevance to Tuesday is unclear.

What the meetings say

The four head-to-head fixtures on record produced seven goals and a two-one-one split in Atlético's favour. The most recent meeting ended in a narrow defeat for the home side; the two before that were wins. The sample is small and the context for each result is missing, but the record tilts toward the team that needs the points more urgently. United, meanwhile, have already been reminded that this draw paired them with two of the continent's more demanding opponents, and Tuesday represents the first of those tests in Madrid.

We are covering this one live. Follow it with us in the match centre for the line-ups when they land, the goals as they go in, and the full timeline.