Atlanta United's quest for a playoff spot goes down to the wire as they journey to the Inter & Co Stadium to take on Orlando City in the MLS regular season finale on Saturday.
The Five Stripes are one of three sides in contention for the final two playoff spots and while they must avoid any dropping points here, they need two other results to go in their favour to secure post-season football.
Match preview
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Orlando City continue to gather momentum ahead of their playoff campaign as they picked up a 3-1 victory over FC Cincinnati when the two sides squared off at the TQL Stadium just before the international break.
Luciano Acosta netted on the stroke of half time to cancel out Ramiro Enrique's 10th-minute opener and draw Cincinnati level, but Ivan Angulo struck in the 66th minute to put the visitors in front before Enrique added his second of the game to cap off a brilliant individual display.
Orlando City have now picked up three consecutive victories, seeing off Dallas, Philadelphia Union and Cincinnati, and have won all but one of their last seven outings, with a narrow 4-3 loss against Columbus Crew on September 23 being the exception.
Oscar Pareja's men have picked up 52 points from their 33 league games to sit fourth in the Eastern Conference table, two points above fifth-placed New York City FC, and will need maximum points this weekend to guarantee a top-four finish and clinch home-field advantage in the opening playoff round.
Orlando will be backing themselves to get the job done this weekend as they return home, where they are on a four-game winning streak and are unbeaten in seven straight matches, claiming six wins and one draw since a 3-1 defeat against Los Angeles FC on June 16.
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With their playoff dreams on the line, Atlanta United secured a much-needed victory just before the international break as they held on to see off New York Red Bulls 2-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium two Sundays ago.
Following a goalless first half, the Five Stripes made use of their numerical advantage after Dylan Nealis picked up a 66th-minute red card as Aleksei Miranchuk and Tyler Wolff hit the target before Serge Ngoma netted a consolation for the Red Bulls in the 13th minute of stoppage time.
Prior to that, Atlanta United were on a five-game winless run and had managed just one victory in nine straight games across all competitions, claiming three draws and losing eight, including back-to-back defeats against DC United and Santos Laguna in the Leagues Cup group stages.
Rob Valentino's side have won just nine MLS games heading into decision day, losing 14 and claiming 10 draws to collect 37 points and sit 12th in the Eastern Conference standings, level on points with Toronto FC and Philadelphia Union.
Atlanta United sit three points adrift of ninth-placed CF Montreal but their significantly superior goal difference means that they could qualify for the play-in all three points at the Inter & Co Stadium and favourable results elsewhere.
Team News
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Orlando will have to cope without Rodrigo Schlegel and 30-year-old midfielder Wilder Cartagena, who are currently suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with their bookings against Cincinnati last time out.
On the injury front, the Lions will take to the pitch without Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar, who have both been sidelined through leg injuries.
Slovenian defender David Brekalo has missed each of the last six games as he recovers from a thigh problem and the 26-year-old will play no part in this weekend's matchup.
As for Atlanta United, they remain without the duo of Xande Silva and French midfielder Tristan Muyumba, who are recuperating from foot and knee injuries respectively.
Veteran goalkeeper Quentin Westberg continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a head injury and the 38-year-old will play no part in this weekend's clash as he observes the Concussion Protocol.
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Smith, Petrasso, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Lodeiro; Torres, Muriel, Angulo; Enrique
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Hernandez, Gregersen, Williams, Amador; Slisz, Miranchuk, Fortune; Lobzhanidze, Thiare, Mosquera
We say: Orlando City 2-1 Atlanta United
While Atlanta's pursuit for playoff football goes down to the wire, Orlando City will be looking to secure all three points and guarantee a top-four finish in the East. While we expect both sides to go all out at the Inter & Co Stadium, we are backing the Lions to come away with a fifth consecutive home victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
