VfB Stuttgart host Atlético de Madrid at MHPArena on Tuesday, October 20, in Matchday 3 of the Champions League. Stuttgart have won both of their opening fixtures and sit fourth in the competition rankings, while Atlético are 15th after taking three points from two games. The teams have conceded only three goals between them in Europe so far, but their recent results also show plenty of attacking threat. Stuttgart have scored three times in each Champions League match, and Atlético arrive on a six-match winning streak across all competitions. It is an intriguing test for two sides carrying different kinds of momentum into the fixture.

VfB Stuttgart's Recent Form and Key Stats

VfB Stuttgart began their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Viking before beating Slovan Bratislava 3-0. They held 64% possession in the latter match and scored three goals from 2.19 expected goals. Those results give them a record of two wins from two in the competition, with averages of 3.0 goals scored and 0.5 conceded per game. They have also won six of their last seven league-phase matches in European competitions.

Their most recent domestic outing interrupted that run of positive results. Stuttgart lost 1-0 to Hamburger SV on October 17 despite generating 2.28 expected goals. Across their last five matches, they have recorded four wins and one defeat, averaging 2.6 goals scored and just 0.2 conceded. Their home record this season is two wins and one loss from three matches in all competitions, although they have not kept a clean sheet at MHPArena since the middle of April.

Deniz Undaz scored his first goal of the season against Slovan Bratislava, finishing that match with four shots and 0.66 expected goals. Emir Demirovic came off the bench to score Stuttgart's third and has four goals in the competition. The hosts are expected to be without several players through injury, including Ameen Al Dakhil, Maximilian Mittelstadt, Nikolas Nartey and Tiago Tomas.

Atlético de Madrid's Recent Form and Key Stats

Atlético de Madrid recovered from a 2-1 defeat in their Champions League opener by beating 10-man Man United 2-0 on Matchday 2. They took the lead after just 53 seconds and ended that game with 58% possession, 11 shots, five efforts on target and two big chances created. Their European record now stands at one win and one loss, with averages of 1.5 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per match.

Atlético followed that European win with a 1-0 victory away to Espanyol on October 17. They have won their last six matches in all competitions, keeping four clean sheets along the way. Their last-five-match record is five wins, with averages of 2.2 goals scored and 0.4 conceded. Away fixtures have rarely ended level for Atlético: they have not drawn any of their last 17 on the road.

Alex Baena scored the winner against Espanyol after coming on as a substitute. He has six direct goal contributions across his last six matches for club and country, as well as five shots in his two Champions League appearances. Atlético also have availability concerns: Cristian Romero sustained a muscle injury against Espanyol, Koke is sidelined, and Johnny Cardoso is a minor doubt.

VfB Stuttgart vs Atlético de Madrid Match Analysis

Stuttgart's two European wins make this an important early meeting, but Atlético's current winning streak presents a different challenge from the hosts' opening fixtures against Viking and Slovan Bratislava. Stuttgart have scored six Champions League goals while conceding one; Atlético have responded to their opening defeat with consecutive clean-sheet wins against Man United and Espanyol. The teams' last listed meeting ended 1-1 on August 5, 2018.

The timing of goals offers another way to assess this Champions League match preview. At least one first-half goal has been scored in Atlético's last 15 Champions League matches and in 18 of their last 20 away games in the competition. Their match against Man United supplied a particularly early example. Second-half scoring has also been frequent in fixtures involving both clubs: at least one goal after the interval has featured in 20 of Stuttgart's last 21 matches and Atlético's last 12.

Atlético's four clean sheets during their winning run and the three goals these teams have conceded between them in Europe point to a demanding contest for both attacks. Yet Stuttgart's six goals from two Champions League games, Atlético's recent scoring form and the visitors' sustained first-half goal trend all matter when weighing how the game may unfold. With both sides coming off sharply contrasting domestic results, the opening period should be a key part of this matchup.

VfB Stuttgart vs Atlético de Madrid prediction from BetMines: Over 0.5 goals at Half-Time with 81% probability.