This weekend's clash between New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United promises to be pivotal in the MLS Eastern Conference playoff race, with New York Red Bulls currently fifth and battling to secure a favourable post-season spot.
On the other hand, Atlanta United are fighting for survival, sitting in 11th place and needing to spark a late-season revival to reach the playoffs despite a recent draw against top-of-the-table Inter Miami.
Match preview
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New York Red Bulls enter this weekend's game eager to end their six-match winless streak and reassert themselves in the Eastern Conference playoff race, sitting fifth with 43 points from 29 matches and battling to secure a favourable post-season position.
The hosts are level on points with fourth-placed Orlando City but trail on the number of wins, while NYCFC in sixth are just three points behind with one more win and with the top three teams already secured in the playoffs, NYRB know they need to start turning draws into victories to maintain their position.
Their recent form has been concerning as they come into this game following a 2-1 defeat to Chicago Fire, which extended their winless run to six games in all competitions, with four of those coming in the MLS and since their last victory, a 3-1 triumph over FC Cincinnati in July, they have managed just two wins in their last 10 league matches.
At home, the Red Bulls have been one of the strongest teams in the division, losing just once at Red Bull Arena this season, although their last home win remains a 3-1 victory over Cincinnati, with subsequent results including a 0-0 draw against Sporting Kansas City and a narrow 2-0 defeat to Philadelphia Union, but their home form remains a crucial asset with seven wins and six draws from 14 matches.
One encouraging factor for New York is their dominant record against Atlanta United, having won 10 of the 16 meetings, including three of the last four, while Atlanta's only two victories in this fixture have both come on their home soil, giving New York confidence to extend their superiority.
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Atlanta's campaign has been marred by inconsistency, with their lowly eight wins leaving them in a precarious position with just five games remaining and in urgent need of points to make a late surge into the playoff spots.
Currently one point behind ninth-placed Philadelphia Union, Atlanta's playoff hopes remain alive, but with just two wins in their last 10 MLS outings, their inability to find consistency has caused a worrying slide down the standings.
Recent form has not been kind to Atlanta, as they enter this match off a 2-2 home draw with Inter Miami, following a 2-0 home loss to Nashville SC and a 1-0 away win over Charlotte FC, their only victory in the last six games.
Away from home, Atlanta's struggles are even more pronounced, with their 1-0 win over Charlotte being their only victory in the last five away games, as losses to LA Galaxy, Inter Miami and New York Red Bulls have highlighted their issues.
Facing New York Red Bulls presents a significant challenge for Atlanta, having managed just two wins in 16 meetings and none away from home, making it a daunting task to secure a crucial three points.
Team News
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New York Red Bulls face several injury concerns ahead of their upcoming match.
Kyle Duncan (knee), Emil Forsberg (lower leg) and Roald Mitchell (knee) have been ruled out of this game, limiting the options available to the manager, Sandro Schwarz.
Additionally, Wiki Carmona (thigh) and Sean Nealis (thigh) are listed as questionable, although Carmona has missed the last nine games.
Atlanta United are facing a few absences ahead of their match, with Ronald Hernandez ruled out due to an ankle injury, while goalkeeper Quentin Westberg is unavailable as he continues to recover under the league's concussion protocol.
Saba Lobjanidze found the back of the net in their last match and his attacking threat will be crucial as Atlanta look to secure vital points.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Nealis, Reyes, Eile, Tolkin; Harper, Carallo, Edelman, Stroud; Morgan, Manoel
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Rode Gregersen, Williams, Amador; Slisz, McCarty; Lobjanidze, Miranchuk, Muyumba; Rios
We say: New York Red Bulls 2-1 Atlanta United
New York Red Bulls have been resilient at home and have a strong record against Atlanta United. Given Atlanta's recent struggles and New York's need to end their winless streak, the Red Bulls are likely to secure a victory.
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