New York City FC host Atlanta United in an MLS Eastern Conference clash at Yankee Stadium. With the visitors often struggling on their travels, they face a difficult trip to New York where the hosts have been in good form.
New York City come into this game off the back of a 2-2 draw at Nashville SC in their previous MLS fixture. That result means Pascal Jansen’s men are unbeaten in four of their last five matches.
At home is where New York are at their best, having won six of their last nine matches in front of their fans. The one blemish for the hosts is their poor defence that has failed to keep a clean sheet in three of their last four home matches.
Atlanta United head into this game following a 2-0 league defeat at New York Red Bulls. That result ended a two-match winning run and manager Ronny Deila will be keen to get things back on track.
One of the issues for Atlanta United is a poor away form as they are winless in their last seven matches on the road. They have been beaten five times in that run, with some heavy defeats among their results like the 3-0 thrashing at Orlando City.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing New York
The bookies are backing New York City FC as favourites with BoyleSports offering odds of 5/6 for a home win. An unlikely victory for Atlanta United is valued at 23/10 while a draw has been set at 13/5.
Head to head: Evenly matched rivals
New York City and Atalanta United have picked up five wins each, with eight draws from 17 previous matches. The visitors claimed a 4-3 home victory in the reverse fixture back in March.
Players to watch: In-form Wolf
Hannes Wolf is the man in form for Atlanta United, with three goals in the last three matches. Kenyon Parks is expected to provide support and both men could help the hosts produce over 1.5 goals, which is valued at 8/11 with BoyleSports.
Emmanuel Latte Lath is the leading scorer for Atlanta United, with five league goals. Aleksey Miranchuk has also been among the goals this season and both men can combine to produce over 0.5 goals – available at 3/10.
Probable lineups:
New York City FC will be without Kevin O’Toole, Jacob Arroyave and Malachi Jones due to injuries. However, Alonso Martinez, Wolf and Parks are expected to start.
For Atlanta United, Josh Cohen, Tristan Muyumba, and Stian Rode Gregersen are all ruled out with injuries. Miguel Almiron is away on international duty with Paraguay but Saba Lobjanidze, Miranchuk and Latte Lath are expected to start.
New York City FC: Freese, Gray, Martins, Haak, Risa, Parks, Perea, Wolf, Moralez, Fernandez, Martinez
Atlanta United: Guzan, Edwards, Williams, Abram, Lobjanidze, Thiare, Klich, Lennon, Miranchuk, Latte Lath, Luke
Anything else catch the eye?
Five of the last seven meetings between both teams have produced over 2.5 goals, which is valued at 6/10 by BoyleSports. Three of the last four meetings have produced over 1.5 goals in the first half and a similar outcome is on the cards (first half over 1.5 goals valued at 11/8).
New York City have opened the scoring in four of the last five matches against Atlanta United and could be tipped to maintain that trend (New York City to score first – available at 7/10).
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