Atlanta United will look to bounce back from consecutive MLS defeats when they welcome Charlotte FC to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, will head into the weekend in a buoyant mood after winning four of their last five matches in all competitions.
Match preview
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After losing just one of their opening nine matches of the season, Atalanta have experienced three poor results since beating Chicago Fire 2-1 on April 23.
Their poor spell of form began with an extra-time defeat to USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC in the US Open Cup, before they went on to lose MLS away games against Nashville SC and Inter Miami.
Atalanta's record goalscorer Josef Martinez haunted his former club last weekend when he scored a brace for Inter Miami, and although Andrew Gutman pulled a goal back in stoppage time, it was too little too late as the Five Stripes fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat, which extended their winless away run to five matches.
Having picked up 18 points from their 11 games, Atalanta head into the weekend in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, and they will be looking forward to returning to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium where they are yet to lose in the MLS this season.
Gonzalo Pineda's side have dropped just two points in their opening five home matches, and they have the chance to claim a fourth consecutive home MLS win on Saturday.
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Charlotte began the 2023 campaign with just one win in eight matches, but they have experienced an upturn in fortunes in recent weeks.
Christian Lattanzio's side have claimed four victories in five games, although two of those wins have taken place in the US Open Cup.
Unlike Saturday's opponents, Charlotte were in action in midweek, and it proved to be a successful outing as they claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Orlando City thanks to a second-half strike from Kamil Jozwiak.
As a result of Tuesday's victory, Charlotte progressed to the last 16 of the US Open Cup where they will face USL Championship outfit Birmingham Legion FC, but they will now turn their focus back to MLS action as they look to move up the standings from 12th place.
With their only previous visit to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium resulting in a 2-1 defeat, the visitors will be aiming to record their first away victory over Atlanta this weekend.
Team News
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Atalanta are without the services of goalkeeper Brad Guzan and midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, but the pair are making progress in their recoveries from injury.
Erik Lopez is ruled out with an ankle issue, although Georgios Giakoumakis could be involved in the matchday squad after he made his return to full training this week.
Franco Ibarra missed the defeat to Inter Miami due to concussion protocol, but Pineda has confirmed that the Argentine will be available for selection, and he is likely to take up a place on the bench.
As for the visitors, George Marks and Guzman Corujo will both miss out due to injury issues, while Bill Tuiloma, Kerwin Vargas and Joseph Mora are all rated doubtful.
Enzo Copetti and Derrick Jones will also be available, with the pair set to serve one-match suspensions for an accumulation of yellow cards.
After returning from injury to come off the bench and score the winner in midweek, Jozwiak is expected to feature in Saturday's starting lineup.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Westberg; Lennon, Robinson, Sanchez Purata, Gutman; Sejdic, Sosa; Araujo, Almada, Wiley; Chol
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Lindsay, Malanda, Sobocinski, Byrne; Swiderski, Jones, Westwood; McKinze Gaines, Jozwiak, Copetti
We say: Atlanta United 2-1 Charlotte FC
Atlanta will be disappointed with their last three results, but having won four of their five home games in the MLS this season, we think that the Five Stripes will return to winning ways against a Charlotte side that have lost three of their five away games in the 2023 campaign.
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