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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 Miami1383235201527
2FC CincinnatiCincinnati127321510524
3New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls125522018220
4Toronto126151617-119
5DC United124531919017
6New York City FCNY City125251414017
7Charlotte FCCharlotte FC125251313017
8Columbus Crew113621311215
9Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia113532119214
10Atlanta UnitedAtlanta113351614212
11Orlando City113351420-612
12CF MontrealMontreal113351523-812
13Nashville SCNashville112541419-511
14Chicago Fire122461222-1010
15New England RevolutionNew England11218922-137

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Salt LakeSalt Lake126422011922
2Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd106221711620
3Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy125522319420
4Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver115331813518
5Los Angeles FCLos Angeles125342219318
6Colorado RapidsColorado125342018218
7Houston DynamoHouston115241111017
8St Louis City113711815316
9Austin FCAustin124441515016
10Seattle SoundersSeattle123451514113
11Sporting Kansas CityKansas122551921-211
12Dallas113261216-411
13Portland TimbersPortland122462125-410
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes123182028-810


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