After three matches without a win, Atlanta United hopes to get back on track against Eastern Conference rivals Columbus Crew. The teams meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, kickoff at 2 am.
Atlanta United was indebted to substitute Dom Dwyer’s 88th-minute strike last time out, as they required a dramatic late equalizer to salvage even a point at Nashville SC.
The teams played out a 2-2 draw after a major rain delay brought the game to a halt midway through the first half – resulting in an away point for the visitors, sealed late into the night. The Five Stripes’ Southeastern rivals had only recently knocked them out of the US Open Cup – a defeat amid an underwhelming run of form at the Georgia club.
The Houston Dynamo sits eighth in the Eastern Conference standings – just outside the last MLS Cup playoffs spot – having won, drawn, and lost four fixtures.
After previously taking four points from fixtures against DC United and New England, Columbus Crew SC has since suffered successive 2-0 losses.
After enduring a long weather delay on Saturday night only to come out of their clash with LAFC empty-handed, the Black and Gold languish down in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with just 15 goals scored from 13 league games.
Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew Head to Head
Both sides have 11 games against each other, with hosts taking six wins while opponents with five wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Nashville 2-2 Atlanta
- Atlanta 2-2 New England Revolution
- Nashville 3-2 Atlanta United
- Atlanta United 4-1 Chicago Fire
Away
- Columbus Crew 0-2 Los Angeles FC
- New York 2-0 Columbus Crew
- New England Revolution 2-2 Columbus Crew
- Columbus Crew 3-0 DC United
Atlanta United Team News
Atlanta United defender Andrew Gutman will be out of action for up to three months with a quad injury sustained against Nashville last week. In Gutman’s absence, the hosts are set to turn to Venezuela full-back Ronald Hernandez or Mikey Ambrose at left-back, while goalkeeper Brad Guzan, Miles Robinson, and Osvaldo Alonso are all sidelined by season-ending injuries.
Columbus Crew Team News
Meanwhile, Columbus manager Caleb Porter is still searching for a formula to end his team’s scoring woes but is expected to persist with a 4-2-3-1 formation built around Lucas Zelarayan.
Prediction and Odds
Atlanta’s attacking lineup is a formidable one, and their recent spate of injuries will not hinder them when they face off against ailing opposition.
- Home Win
- Goals Under 2.5
- No Score: Away
