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[monks data]
Atlanta United
Major League Soccer | Gameweek 29
Sep 11, 2021 at 12am UK
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Orlando City

Atlanta
3 - 0
Orlando City

Campbell (25'), Dike (38' og.), Barco (72')
Franco (34'), Campbell (45+1'), Sosa (81')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Carlos (37')

Preview: Atlanta United vs. Orlando City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's Major League Soccer clash between Atlanta United and Orlando City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Atlanta United welcome Orlando City to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday aiming to return to winning ways following a first defeat in six league games last time out.

Meanwhile, the visiting team head into the clash looking to extend their unbeaten run in the MLS, which currently stands at seven matches.


Match preview

Atlanta United midfielder Marcelino Moreno (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Columbus Crew in the second half at Lower.com Stadium on August 7, 2021© Reuters

Atlanta United failed in their quest to pick up a fifth win on the bounce following a 2-0 home defeat against Nashville SC on August 28.

Gonzalo Pineda's men dominated proceedings for the majority of the game but were undone by late goals in either half from Daniel Rios and Randall Leal.

The Five Stripes missed out on an opportunity to move level on points with DC United in the race for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

They now await the visit of an Orlando City side who they have not defeated in any of the last six meetings between the teams after winning each of the last four prior to that.

Having managed to amass just 15 points from 10 outings on their own turf this term, Saturday's hosts need to improve their home record to stand a real chance of reaching the postseason.

Orlando City SC head coach Oscar Pareja walks off the field at the end of the game against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on August 7, 2021© Reuters

Orlando City made it two home victories in three fixtures by beating defending champions Columbus Crew 3-2 at the Exploria Stadium on Sunday.

Oscar Pareja's men went into the interval with a two-goal advantage courtesy of goals from Daryl Dike and Silvester van der Water but were pegged back early in the second half, before Junior Urso popped up with the winner in the 69th minute.

The Lions stay 14 points adrift of league leaders New England Revolution with two games in hand as the season progresses into its final third.

With no wins in any of their last five matches away from home, Saturday's visitors will be keen on getting back to winning ways on their travels.

Atlanta United Major League Soccer form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L

Orlando City Major League Soccer form:
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • W

Orlando City form (all competitions):
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • W



Team News

Orlando City SC midfielder Nani (17) reacts after scoring a goal against FC Cincinnati in the second half at TQL Stadium on August 7, 2021© Reuters

Mohammed Adams and Emerson Hyndman are faced with long spells on the sidelines as they continue to recover from hamstring and ACL injuries respectively.

Jake Mulraney and Franco Ibarra will play no part in this weekend's contest due to leg injuries, while Santiago Sosa could make his return to his starting XI after sitting out the last two games.

Despite an unproductive display versus Nashville, Josef Martinez has scored four times in his last six appearances, and the Venezuelan is one to keep an eye on.

Jhegson Mendez and Alexandre Pato are Orlando City's only absentees for the game with Pareja expected to name an unchanged starting XI.

Nani was directly involved in a goal for the 16th time last time out and only the trio of Daniel Salloi, Valentin Castellanos and Hany Mukhtar have managed more in the entire division.

Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Robinson, Franco, Walkes, Bello; Araujo, Sejdic, Moreno; Martinez, Barco

Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Grinwis; Ruan, Carlos, Jansson, Moutinho; Urso, DeZart, Mueller; Van der Water, Nani, Dike


SM words green background

We say: Atlanta United 1-1 Orlando City

Both teams come into the game on a decent run of results and both will feel that a win is there for the taking. We are anticipating an open and end-to-end affair with goals at either end with honours even at the full-time whistle.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Atlanta United win with a probability of 44.16%. A win for Orlando City had a probability of 28.97% and a draw had a probability of 26.9%.

The most likely scoreline for an Atlanta United win was 1-0 with a probability of 11.89%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.82%) and 2-0 (8.25%). The likeliest Orlando City win was 0-1 (9.17%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.72%). The actual scoreline of 3-0 was predicted with a 3.8% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Atlanta United would win this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Atlanta vs Orlando City

Atlanta United
32.4%
Draw
26.8%
Orlando City
40.8%
71
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New York City FC forward Valentin Castellanos (11) celebrates a goal by forward Santiago Rodriguez (not pictured) against Toronto FC with defender Malte Amundsen (12) and forward Thiago (8) during the first half at BMO Field on August 7, 2021
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami17104339241534
2FC CincinnatiCincinnati1610332316733
3New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls157532822626
4New York City FCNY City158251916326
5Columbus Crew146622113824
6Toronto167272424023
7Charlotte FCCharlotte FC166461516-122
8Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia154742521419
9Nashville SCNashville154741920-119
10DC United164662329-618
11Orlando City154561623-717
12Atlanta UnitedAtlanta154472018216
13CF MontrealMontreal154472133-1216
14Chicago Fire162681528-1312
15New England RevolutionNew England132110926-177

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Salt LakeSalt Lake1686231181330
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy167723023728
3Los Angeles FCLos Angeles158342719827
4Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd147432419525
5Austin FCAustin166552020023
6Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver156452218422
7Colorado RapidsColorado166462829-122
8Houston DynamoHouston156361616021
9Portland TimbersPortland165473030019
10Seattle SoundersSeattle164661919018
11St Louis City143742022-216
12Dallas143471723-613
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas152582328-511
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes1532102334-1111


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