Atlanta United face off with New York Red Bulls in the MLS Eastern Conference on Thursday, with the hosts having the chance to move within five points of their forthcoming opponents with a victory, having played one game fewer than them too.
Despite sitting second-last of the Eastern Conference, Atlanta are only four points outside of the playoff spots, having played one game fewer than sixth-placed Orlando City and seventh-placed Inter Miami.
Since joining the MLS in 2017, the Five Stripes have qualified for the playoffs in four of their five campaigns, sensationally winning the MLS Cup in only their second ever season in 2018.
However, Gonzalo Pineda’s side have found things tougher going this time around, with just two wins from their past 10 games seeing them struggle to keep pace with the playoff-chasing sides.
There is still plenty of time for Atlanta to make up ground though, with their next two matches against NY Red Bulls and Columbus Crew, two sides currently sitting inside the top seven places, potentially pivotal in terms of determining whether they can do so between now and the end of the regular season.
Meanwhile, NY Red Bulls are still chasing a first-ever MLS Cup victory in what is now their 27th season competing in the MLS.
Despite topping the Eastern Conference in six of their previous 26 campaign, as well as the overall leaderboard on three of those occasions, the Red Bulls have consistently fallen short at the playoff stage, with their 3-1 defeat to Columbus in the 2008 final the closest that they come to breaking their misfortune.
Heading to Atlanta on Thursday, NY Red Bulls are four points ahead of New England in eighth place, so they clearly remain on course to qualify for the playoff for the 13th consecutive season.
Atlanta United vs New York Red Bulls head to head
The two teams have previously met on 13 occasions, where Atlanta have claimed one victory while Red Bulls have won eight, and they have drawn in four. Atlanta have scored nine goals and conceded 16. In their last five meetings, Red Bulls have won three while they have drawn twice.
Atlanta United 0-1 New York RB 12/07/20
Atlanta United 0-1 New York RB 11/10/20
Atlanta United 0-0 New York RB 27/06/21
New York RB 0-0 Atlanta United 04/11/21
New York RB 2-1 Atlanta United 01/07/22
Atlanta United latest home form
Atlanta United have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their six most recent matches. They defeated Seattle Sounders 2-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded six.
Atlanta United 2-0 Inter Miami 19/06/22
Atlanta United 0-3 Austin 10/07/22
Atlanta United 2-1 Real Salt Lake 14/07/22
Atlanta United 1-1 Orlando City 17/07/22
Atlanta United 2-1 Seattle Sounders 06/08/22
Atlanta United latest away form
Atlanta United have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their 11 most recent matches. They drew 2-2 with Cincinnati in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded eight.
New York RB 2-1 Atlanta United 01/07/22
New York City 2-2 Atlanta United 04/07/22
LA Galaxy 2-0 Atlanta Unted 25/07/22
Chicago Fire 0-0 Atlanta United 31/07/22
Cincinnati 2-2 Atlanta United 14/08/22
New York Red Bulls latest home form
New York RB have recently been on a poor run of form at home, having lost each of their four most recent matches. They lost 1-0 to Orlando City in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded 10.
New York RB 2-1 Atlanta United 01/07/22
New York RB 0-1 New York City 18/07/22
New York RB 0-2 Barcelona 31/07/22
New York RB 4-5 Colorado Rapids 03/08/22
New York RB 0-1 Orlando City 14/08/22
New York Red Bulls latest away form
New York RB have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with DC United in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded nine.
Sporting KC 0-1 New York RB 04/07/22
Cincinnati 1-1 New York RB 10/07/22
Austin 3-4 New York RB 25/07/22
Orlando City 5-1 New York RB 28/07/22
DC United 0-0 New York RB 07/08/22
Atlanta United news
Atlanta United remain without club captain Brad Guzan after the goalkeeper ruptured his Achilles tendon, with loanee stopper Rocco Rios Novo continuing to deputise in goal.
Josef Martinez could return to lead the line having only been utilised from the bench last time out in the 2-2 draw at Cincinnati.
New York Red Bulls news
New York Red Bulls do not appear to have any injury concerns restricting Struber’s selection choices.
Having blanked in the last two games, the manager will be challenging the likes of Patryk Klimala, Lewis Morgan and Luquinhas to deliver in front of goal, otherwise changes could be imminent in the near future.
Prediction and Odds
Atlanta United’s form have slightly improved in recent occasions, and we can envisage them closing the gap on the playoff places by picking up all three points on Thursday.
On paper, the hosts have more talented attackers than New York Red Bulls, which could prove cruacial alongside having home advantage.
Odds: 1 2.10 X 2.00 2 2.26
Probable outcomes
Atlanta United 1-0 New York RB
Atlanta United 2-0 New York RB
Atlanta United 2-1 New York RB
Atlanta United 0-0 New York RB
Atlanta United 1-1 New York RB
