The MLS weekend concludes with one last match on Sunday night as Atlanta United host DC United in an all-Eastern Conference battle. Both sides will be looking for three valuable points in this match to boost their chances of making the top six.
Atlanta United
Surprisingly given that they began the season at home this is just the third match on their own patch for Atlanta United and after a busy period on the road where they have more than held their own with some big sides they will be delighted to be back on home turf. A win here will move them third in the Conference.
Injuries and suspensions have been hitting Atlanta in recent weeks but we have seen the quality of the strength they have deep down in their squad and that can only bode well for when the supposed bigger names make a return to the side. In Miguel Almiron they have a genuine contender for the MVP award.
DC United
It hasn’t been a particularly good start to the season for DC United but a win here will get them right in amongst it in the East. They will go level on points with their opponents with a win in this match so that gives them an incentive to be right up for this one. Having yet to win on the road though they need an improvement in that regard.
They need to stop shipping goals when they go away. Their two road defeats have both been in New York but at the time they played the two New York sides neither of them were in the greatest form and that would be a concern. If they can stay tight they will know Atlanta offer up chances which will offer encouragement.
Team News
Atlanta United look set to be without Josef Martinez for another match at least but his absence hasn’t been felt as much as it might have been. Zach Lloyd and Jacob Peterson are also out for the hosts.
DC United are missing some big players for this match. Steve Bimbaum, Patrick Nyarko and Nick DeLeon are all out but there has been some relief with Patrick Mullins and Sebastien Le Toux returning from injury.
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Betting
I’ve thought all along this season that Atlanta will be a tough place to go. I think Atlanta United will play very well at home in front of large, passionate crowds and I think their high pressing and possession based game will catch a lot of sides out.
DC United have been well beaten twice on the road this season and unless Bill Hamid has one of his famous days out I don’t see DC getting any joy in this one. Atlanta have enough pace to cover defensively and when they win the ball high up the field in Almiron and Villalba they have the quality to punish the visitors.
Tips
Back Atlanta United (-0.75AH) to beat DC United for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with BetVictor
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