Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Major League Soccer clash between Atlanta United and Columbus Crew, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two teams whose forms could hardly be any more contrasting go head to head at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday as Atlanta United entertain the challenge of Columbus Crew.
The hosts are without a victory in their last five games across all competitions, while their visitors will be looking to make it seven games unbeaten this weekend.
Match preview
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Atlanta United snapped a four-game losing streak by playing out an entertaining 2-2 stalemate against New York City FC on Thursday.
Rob Valentino‘s men went into the interval on the front foot thanks to strikes from Daniel Rios and Saba Lobjanidze before Monsef Bakrar and Talles Magno restored parity in the second half.
As a result, The Five Stripes have dropped down to 12th in the Eastern Conference of the MLS table, albeit just two points outside the playoff places.
Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have suffered only one defeat in the last eight editions of this fixtures, winning five of the other seven.
Having picked up only one win in seven home matches leading up to this one, Sunday’s hosts will be keen to turn things around in front of their fans as they look to kickstart what has been a poor start to the season so far.
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Columbus Crew were denied a sixth win on the bounce following a 1-1 draw against Charlotte FC at Lower.com Field on Thursday.
Wilfried Nancy‘s men edged ahead just past the half-hour mark through Cucho Hernandez who was set to be match-winner before Patrick Agyemang levelled matters six minutes from time.
With 43 points picked up from 22 matches so far, The Black and Gold sit third in the Eastern Conference standings, seven points shy of leaders Inter Miami.
Currently boasting the best attacking and defensive records away from home in the division, Sunday’s visitors have been a real force to reckon with on enemy territory and will be hard to contend with.
Atlanta United Major League Soccer form:
Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:
Team News
Atlanta’s Brooks Lennon received his fifth caution of the campaign last time out which will see him incur a one-game suspension in this one.
The hosts will also have to make do with the absence of Edwin Mosquera who has not featured since mid-June due to a knee problem.
Daniel Rios has directly been involved in eight goals in his last nine appearances, making the 29-year-old one to keep an eye on here.
Goalkeeper Evan Bush continues to nurse an arm injury and remains Columbus Crew’s only guaranteed absentee.
Marino Hinestroza did not play any part in the visitors’ draw against Charlotte but is now eligible to participate once again having served a one-game ban.
Cucho Hernandez’s opener in the aforementioned game was his seventh strike in six times and the Colombia international will be looking to deliver the goods.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Morales, Williams, Abram, Hernandez; Slisz, McCarty, Muyumba; Lobjanidze, Rios, Silva
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Hagen; Moreira, Camacho, Amundsen; Farsi, Zawadzki, Nagbe, Arfsten; Ramirez, Rossi, Cucho
We say: Atlanta United 1-3 Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew have enjoyed the better of this fixture of late and given their form heading into this one, we can see them coming out on top in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.