The MLS weekend begins on Friday night with an all-Eastern Conference clash between Orlando City and Atlanta United which is live on Sky for those of us who are in the UK.
A decent run before the break for the Gold Cup saw Atlanta United leapfrog Orlando in the Eastern table but Orlando will go back above their opponents if they win this match.
Orlando City
After a good beginning to the season Orlando City have now won just two of their last 10 matches. They needed the two week break which came at the right time and they will have hoped to have taken stock of what was going wrong and thrashed everything out in a bid to revive their form in the second half of the campaign.
The reason for their strong start to the campaign was their excellent defence but that has crumbled in recent matches so they still to get that stability back again. They’ve not lacked for goals in recent times which is one positive so if they can tighten up coming out of the sabbatical then a play-off spot will await them.
Atlanta United
The expansion side took a little while to find some consistency but they found it heading into the break. In fact that break probably came at the wrong time for them in the end as they had won four of their five matches prior to it and dominated the game they lost so the key for them is recreating their form.
We know what Atlanta are going to offer now. They are an attack minded side who press high up in the opposition half and in good numbers and are a tough side to relent. That said if you can pick them off then they are ripe for a counter attack which is a style Orlando City love to utilise which makes this interesting.
Team News
Orlando City are going to be without the focal point of their attack in Cyle Larin who has been with Canada for the Gold Cup. Carlos Rivas is questionable while Rafael Ramos is definitely out.
Atlanta United will be without the injured trio of Jacob Peterson, Kenwyne Jones and Alec Kann while Romario Williams is away with the Jamaica squad still.
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Betting
Backing away sides in the MLS is not often the route to success but I do like Atlanta United here. They were the form side heading into the break and they now have Josef Martinez back to full fitness and fully firing again.
Orlando City don’t usually lack for goals but there is no doubt that Cyle Larin is the main source of them and with him missing the Atlanta defence are likely to have an easier time of it. That added other gives Atlanta every chance of claiming a winning return to the MLS action here.
Tips
WON – Back Atlanta United (0AH) to beat Orlando City for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with 888sport
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