Prediction: Atlanta United vs New York City

Verdict: Atlanta United win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to clinch back-to-back MLS victories in the early hours of Thursday, Atlanta will welcome New York City to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Atlanta United

Starting with the hosts, while Atlanta might have come under plenty of scrutiny last season as they missed out on a play-off spot, the Five Stripes have made plenty of improvements since opening the 2023 campaign. Last seen heading into the international break with an eye-catching display on home soil as they breezed their way to a 3-1 romp against DC United, Gonzalo Pineda’s men will be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Sat firmly in pole position to clinch a top-seven finish in the Eastern Conference this season, Atlanta mark their return on Thursday in the midst of a six-match unbeaten run. With that flurry highlighted by a 4-0 victory against Colorado on May 17th, the ex-Seattle coach will be excited by his side’s free-scoring displays in the final third. Notching 14 strikes on their six-match unbeaten romp and taking seven points from their last four showdowns at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta should be relishing a return to MLS duties here.

Team News

Dealing with an extended injury issue and not making a single MLS appearance since back on March 25th, Atlanta look set to once again be without 21-year-old Erik Lopez in midweek. However, the Five Stripes are hopeful that former River Plate starlet Santiago Sosa will be able to make a full return in the early hours of Thursday.

Notching four strikes in his previous six domestic appearances and continuing to impress this season, 20-year-old Tyler Wolff will once again spearhead Pineda’s charge at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

New York City

As for the visitors, last seen over the weekend forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at home against Columbus, it is no secret that New York are in the midst of a public struggle. Showing a string of issues this season and tipped as an outside contender to claim a play-off ticket in 2023, Nick Cushing has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders at the Yankee Stadium. In fact, along with signing off May with back-to-back 3-1 losses against Philadelphia and Cincinnati, the Pigeons are remarkably without a win from any of their previous 10 domestic appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to April 22nd. However, despite having to feel of a squad seeking a much-needed boost in midweek, NYCFC should be excited by an eye-catching record against Thursday’s hosts. Despite only playing out a 1-1 draw when they welcomed Atlanta to town on April 8th, it should be noted that Cuching’s downbeat squad are unbeaten in their last seven meetings against the Five Stripes.

Team News

Once again missing out against Columbus last weekend after picking up a recent ankle injury, New York will once again be without one-time Palmeiras defender Thiago Martins in midweek. Forced to settle for a spot on the bench a few days ago, 25-year-old defender Stephen Turnbull could be handed a full recall in the early hours of Thursday.

Despite bagging just one goal from any of his last eight domestic appearances, 21-year-old Gabriel Pereira should once again spearhead New York’s attack here. Ex-Hertha Berlin man Alfredo Morales will be partnered with Keaton Alexander Parks at the heart of Cushing’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse MLS showdown on April 8th, Atlanta and New York City played out a 1-1 draw at the Yankee Stadium.
• Thursday’s hosts are unbeaten in each of their previous six MLS appearances – a run that has seen them notch 14 goals.
• NYCFC have failed to muster a single win from any of their last 10 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to April 22nd.
• Likewise, New York have not secured a single domestic win on their travels since the start of February.
• The Five Stripes have collected seven points from their previous three MLS appearances at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Conclusion

Heading into the international break with a 3-1 romp at home against DC United, Atlanta should be smelling the chance to make another MLS statement here. Really gaining a reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third, the Five Stripes will be confident of cashing in on a New York squad who are in the midst of a public domestic nightmare. Remarkably failing to muster a single win from any other last 10 straight appearances, the Pigeons will know that they face a real challenge here. Likewise, without a win away from the Yankee Stadium since the start of February, we are backing what could be an enjoyable home victory at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium here.

Verdict: Atlanta United win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet