Como host a Manchester United side in crisis, but both squads are stretched
Cesc Fàbregas‘ side have three points after beating RB Leipzig 4-1 and losing 3-2 at Feyenoord, and they won 3-1 at Fiorentina on Sunday. Michael Carrick’s United also have three points, but they are winless in five games in all competitions and arrive with a long injury list. The game is at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, in the Champions League league phase, with an early kick-off at 18:45 CEST. Sven Jablonski has the whistle.
“Sarà una serata storica, lo United ha una storia pazzesca ma noi proveremo a vincere come sempre.” – Como manager Cesc Fàbregas (“It will be a historic night. United have an incredible history, but we will try to win as always.”)
Predicted lineups: Como vs Manchester United
Fàbregas said he has only 15 players available. Jesús Rodríguez was badly injured in training and will be out for at least two months, Trevoh Chalobah went off injured at Fiorentina and will miss around two weeks, Assane Diao is out until after the international break and Moise Kean is targeting a return on Saturday. Anastasios Douvikas will start up front. United are without Leny Yoro (suspended), Lisandro Martínez, who did not travel, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven (ill), Benjamin Šeško, Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton, while Marcus Rashford is a doubt with a hip problem. Matthijs de Ligt is fit again and likely to partner Harry Maguire, but the United line-up below is my best estimate.
Como Team News & Preview
Como’s 3-1 win in Florence was not without fortune, as Fiorentina wasted good chances and had a second goal ruled out for offside. Liberali and Nico Paz scored before half-time, Douvikas added the third early in the second half, and the win ended a run of three games without a victory. Paz was the standout player again and is Como’s best-rated player in the Champions League.
In Europe, Como have been impressive on their debut. They have scored six goals in two games, averaging 2.15 xG per match, and Douvikas has scored in both of them. The worry is depth: with only 15 players available, Fàbregas has few options from the bench if the game becomes physical. He also played down talk of a United crisis, saying that in football a crisis does not exist.
What works for or against Como
- Won 3-1 at Fiorentina on Sunday.
- Six goals and 2.15 xG per game in the Champions League.
- Only 15 players available, with Jesús Rodríguez and Chalobah newly injured.
- Moise Kean is unlikely to be fit.
Manchester United Team News & Preview
United’s run is a worry. In their last five games, they have lost 3-2 at home to Brighton and 2-0 at Atlético Madrid and drawn with Fulham, Tottenham and Leeds. At Elland Road on Sunday, Bryan Mbeumo gave them the lead but Leeds equalised early in the second half and had the better chances, with 1.44 xG to United’s 0.91. Lisandro Martínez’s criticism of the club’s hierarchy after the Atlético defeat has added to the noise around the club.
Carrick rejected suggestions of a toxic dressing room and said his players have given everything. United still have quality going forward in Bruno Fernandes and Mbeumo, and their Champions League numbers are decent, with 2.25 xG per game. But they have kept only one clean sheet in ten games and are again patching up the defence.
What works for or against Manchester United
- Matthijs de Ligt is fit again after a long absence.
- 2.25 xG per game in the Champions League.
- Winless in five games in all competitions.
- Nine players out, with Yoro suspended and Martínez not travelling.
Como vs Manchester United Odds
Match Result
Double Chance
Handicap
Over/Under
Both Teams to Score
Half-Time/Full-Time
Como Calcio vs. Man United Stats Comparison
Show Recent Results
Como Calcio vs. Man United Form Guide
Como Calcio Form, Stats & Data
Como’s underlying numbers are strong for a debutant: 2.15 xG for and only 1.00 against per game. They have conceded more than their xG suggests, but they create good chances and share the ball evenly against strong opposition. Nico Paz is the creative hub.
Man United Form, Stats & Data
United’s European numbers are better than their form: 2.25 xG for and 1.15 against per game. But both their top scorer and their best-rated player in the competition are injured, which shows how much the absences have hit this side. The defence in particular has been rebuilt game after game.
Como vs Manchester United: Prediction & Betting Tip
I like Como with the safety of Draw No Bet. They come into the game in better form after winning at Fiorentina, Douvikas is scoring regularly in Europe, and they have produced more than two expected goals per game in this competition. United are winless in five, have one clean sheet in ten games and are missing nine players, several of them defenders.
My main concern is Como’s own squad. With only 15 players available, Jesús Rodríguez and Chalobah newly injured and Kean unlikely to play, Fàbregas has very little room to change things. United also have enough quality in Fernandes and Mbeumo to punish any mistakes. That is why I prefer Draw No Bet to the outright home win and am keeping the stake small.
My selection is Como Draw No Bet at 1.70 with Winz, with 2-1 as my correct-score call.