Como and Manchester United meet on October 21 in League Stage - 3 of the UEFA Champions League. It is an early-season fixture, and both sides are still establishing themselves in the table. Como are listed 12th and Manchester United 13th, so the teams are separated by a single place. Whatever the result, it will shift the middle of the standings.

The clearest contrast is in recent results. Como's last five matches brought two wins, one draw and two defeats, with eight goals scored and seven conceded. Their Champions League campaign began with a 4-1 home win over RB Leipzig on September 10, followed by a 3-2 defeat at Feyenoord on October 14. Manchester United are winless in their last five, with two draws and three defeats. They have scored four goals and conceded eight, and their most recent European outing was a 2-0 loss at Atletico Madrid on October 13. Michael Carrick's side will want to restore some defensive solidity, while Cesc Fàbregas's team have shown they can score but have also been open at the back.

Schedule context matters too. Both teams played in this competition on October 13 or 14 and then returned to domestic action. Como drew 0-0 with AS Roma in Serie A on October 11 and have played in Europe since. United drew 1-1 with Tottenham in the Premier League on October 10. Their September 16 League Cup match against Brighton, a 3-2 home defeat, is part of a congested autumn run.

Neither club has any unavailable players reported, so both managers should have full squads to choose from. That could mean a close contest between two sides with similar league positions and contrasting recent momentum.