Two sides in contrasting form go head to head in MLS as Atlanta United play host to Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.
While the home side will be seeking to snap their eight-match winless run in the league, the Black and Gold head into the weekend on a run of four consecutive victories and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling.
Match preview
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Atlanta United avoided a huge upset in the round-of-16 of the US Open Cup as they secured a penalty-shootout victory over USL Championship side Patriots Point Athletics Complex on Wednesday.
A total of 32 shots were fired in the game but neither goalkeeper would end up picking the ball out of the back of the net, with the contest going to penalties where the the visitors secured a 5-4 victory.
Manager Gonzalo Pineda will hope that the fight and character shown by his side in midweek can serve as a springboard for a fine run of results as they now turn their attention to MLS, where they are currently on an eight-match winless run.
Atlanta United have picked up four draws and suffered four defeats in the league since thrashing 10-man Chicago Fire 3-0 on March 31, a run which has seen them plunge to 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
While the Five Stripes will be looking to build on Wednesday's victory, they have struggled to get going on home turf, where they are currently on a three-game losing streak, suffering consecutive defeats against FC Cincinnati, Minnesota United and DC United.
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Los Angeles FC turned in another performance of the highest quality as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over USL Championship side Loudoun United FC in their last-16 clash on Wednesday.
In a one-sided affair at the BMO Stadium, Timothy Tillman, Christian Olivera and Tomas Angel all found the back of the net to fire the Black and Gold into the quarter-finals.
Los Angeles have now won each of their last four matches across all competitions — including consecutive victories over Vancouver Whitecaps and St Louis City in the MLS — while scoring 11 goals and keeping three clean sheets since a 3-1 defeat against San Jose Earthquakes on May 5.
Ante Razov's men have picked up 21 points from 13 MLS matches to sit fifth in the Eastern Conference table, level on points with sixth-placed Colorado Rapids but could move level with second-placed Minnesota United with a win this weekend.
Next up for Los Angeles is a trip to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium where they have lost each of their previous two visits, losing 5-0 in April 2018 before falling to a 1-0 defeat in August 2021.
Team News
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Atlanta United will be without the services of 21-year-old Tyler Wolff and Irish defender Derrick Williams, who are currently recuperating from knee and calf injuries respectively.
Experienced striker Georgios Giakoumakis has missed the last two games since coming off with a hamstring injury against Cincinnati on May 16 and will play no part in Saturday's game.
Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada, who had three goals and one assist in the league this season, is currently recuperating from a damaged calf and is also set to sit out his third consecutive game.
As for Los Angeles, Razov will be unable to call upon the midfield duo of David Martinez and 20-year-old Lorenzo Dellavalle, who have been ruled out through back and knee injuries respectively.
Veteran defender Ryan Hollingshead has missed each of the Black and Gold's four matches since suffering an injury against San Jose Earthquakes on May 5 and the 33-year-old is out of contention for this weekend's matchup.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Cobb, Gregersen, Hernandez; Muyumba, Firmino, Slisz; Lobzhanidze, Rios, Wiley
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Palencia, Murillo, Long, Campos; Tillman, Atuesta, Bogusz; Olivera, Kamara, Bouanga
We say: Atlanta United 1-2 Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles have put together a fine run of results of late and will be backing themselves against an Atlanta side who have picked up just one point from their last four home games in the league. While we expect the Five Stripes to put up a fight, we predict that the visitors will do just enough secure all three points.
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