Preview: Como vs. Man United · prediction, team news, line-ups
Como welcome Manchester United to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Wednesday, with kickoff at 5.45pm BST, in matchday three of the Champions League league phase.
The hosts are 12th with three points and a goal difference of plus two. The Red Devils are 13th with identical numbers.
Match preview
Como are Champions League debutants and sit 12th of 36 with three points, having won at home and lost away. They now host English opposition for the first time.
The Sinigaglia has been kind to them. They beat RB Leipzig 4-1 on matchday one and have lost only one home game since February, winning six and drawing three.
Away from home, they went down 3-2 at Feyenoord on October 14. They responded in Serie A with a 3-1 win at Fiorentina, which ended a three-game winless run and keeps them fifth with 14 points from seven games.
Their last five read W3-1 at Fiorentina, L3-2 at Feyenoord, D0-0 with Roma, L2-0 at Frosinone and W2-1 against Parma. Anastasios Douvikas has scored in both of their Champions League games, and Nico Paz has two assists in the competition.
Manchester United arrive in the worst form of their season. They are winless in six games in all competitions, and their only European win was the 4-0 victory over Sabah on matchday one.
Their last five were D1-1 at Leeds, L2-0 at Atletico Madrid, D1-1 with Tottenham, D1-1 at Fulham and L3-2 against Brighton in the League Cup. They scored one goal or fewer in four of those games.
Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes lead the scoring charts with five goals each across the last 10 league and Champions League games. Fernandes has registered six shots and five chances created in this competition, while Mbeumo scored at Elland Road.
There is no head-to-head record, as this is the first competitive meeting between the clubs. Both sides have three points and a goal difference of plus two, so the winner will move clear of a direct rival in mid-table. Como still face PSG and Barcelona.
Cesc Fabregas, who faced United 24 times as a player, has described the game as a dream come true.
Como · recent results
- WFiorentina 1-3 Como
- LFeyenoord 3-2 Como
- DComo 0-0 AS Roma
- LFrosinone 2-0 Como
- WComo 2-1 Parma
Manchester United · recent results
- DLeeds 1-1 Manchester United
- LAtletico Madrid 2-0 Manchester United
- DManchester United 1-1 Tottenham
- DFulham 1-1 Manchester United
- LManchester United 2-3 Brighton
Key stats
Trends · last 5 matches
Team news
Como will be without Assane Diao, who has a thigh injury. Moise Kean is a doubt with a leg problem, and Trevoh Chalobah is also listed as questionable.
United are definitely without Leny Yoro, who is suspended after his red card in Madrid. Patrick Dorgu, Benjamin Sesko, Ugarte and Heaton are also out.
Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford all missed training on Tuesday. Martinez was substituted at half time at Leeds. If he and Heaven miss out, Carrick would have only Maguire and De Ligt as senior centre-backs, and De Ligt has not played since November 30 last year after back surgery.
The lineups are predicted and not official.
Como have home advantage, better recent form and an attack that has scored in every European game. United arrive with defensive absentees and no win since September. We expect an open contest with goals at both ends and a narrow edge for the Italians: Como 2-1 Manchester United.
Match odds
+18