The visitors’ winning run could continue in Germany: Stuttgart vs. Atlético Madrid prediction
The third-round match of the Champions League league phase between Stuttgart and Atlético Madrid will take place on October 20, 2026, at the MHP Arena. The German club have won both of their opening matches in the competition, while the Spaniards responded to an opening-round defeat with a victory over Manchester United. At the same time, the teams’ domestic campaigns have taken completely different directions: Stuttgart are struggling in the Bundesliga, while Diego Simeone’s side have hit outstanding form.
Stuttgart: Europe is keeping their season afloat for now
Sebastian Hoeneß’s team made a poor start to the domestic championship and have lost three of their last four Bundesliga matches. On Saturday, Stuttgart fell 0-1 to Hamburg, highlighting the team’s problems at home even further. In the Champions League, however, the picture is completely different: the Germans first defeated Viking 3-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Ermedin Demirović, before comfortably beating Slovan 3-0.
Ahead of the meeting with Atlético, the hosts can draw optimism from their record against Spanish clubs — Stuttgart have won three of their last four matches against La Liga representatives. But there is another side to the story: in the Champions League itself, the Germans have never beaten a Spanish opponent, recording two draws and five defeats. The defense is also still dealing with personnel problems due to injuries to Ameen Al-Dakhil and the possible absences of Dan-Axel Zagadou and Maximilian Mittelstädt.
Atlético Madrid: six straight wins and a rock-solid defense
Diego Simeone’s team come into the match on a run of six consecutive victories in all competitions. After losing 1-2 to Liverpool at the start of their Champions League campaign, Atlético have won every match since, including a 2-1 derby victory and a 2-0 win over Manchester United. During this stretch, Atlético have scored 14 goals and conceded just two, keeping four clean sheets in the process.
There is, however, one significant drawback — their away record in Europe’s premier club competition. Atlético have won just one of their last six away Champions League matches and have lost their last five away games against Bundesliga clubs. Nevertheless, Simeone’s side are in such convincing form that the visitors head into the match as the more consistent team.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Stuttgart have won both of their opening Champions League matches.
- Atlético have won six consecutive matches in all competitions.
- The Madrid side have lost their last five away matches against Bundesliga clubs.
The visitors’ form should outweigh home advantage: Stuttgart vs. Atlético Madrid prediction
Stuttgart have already shown that they can raise their level significantly in the Champions League compared with the domestic competition, so this will not be an easy outing for the visitors. Demirović is in good form, while home support could help the hosts create enough chances to score at least once.
However, the overall balance still favors Atlético. Simeone’s team look far more consistent at the moment, defend more reliably without the ball and handle key moments better. Even taking their poor away record in Germany into account, the Madrid side’s current run suggests they can reverse that trend and return home with all three points.
