Prediction: Real Salt Lake City vs Atlanta United

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 49/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Aiming for the top spot in MLS, Real Salt Lake City will host Atlanta United. While the visitors will face a tough task ahead, the hosts can explore a great opportunity to increase the pressure on leaders Inter Miami. The showdown will take place at America First Field Stadium where over 20, 000 fans are keen to see another great performance from the local boys.

Real Salt Lake City

Starting their campaign with the handbrake pulled, Real Salt Lake recorded a single win after four rounds. A derby game against the most valuable team of the MLS in the opening fixture caught the hosts off guard as leaders Inter Miami inflicted their first loss of this term (2-0). Although playing against Saint Louis City should be a great opportunity to bounce back from the setback in Miami, the Utah-based outfit was forced to settle for a draw after conceding a late equalizer (1-1 final score).

Despite this slow start with some fans questioning an established play-of status, the Claret and Cobalt recovered quickly by defeating Los Angeles FC 3-0. However, while hosting Colorado Rapids should return a second success, Real Salt Lake suffered a crash, despite taking the lead, surrendering for the second time early in the season (1-2).

Although the fans were disappointed with this debut, head coach Pablo Mastreoni proved his managerial skills by setting his side on an exceptional journey with 15 league games without defeat. Playing against top teams from the MLS during this impressive series, the hosts became a strong contender to end as winners of the Western Conference.

Furthermore, Real Salt Lake City became the best attacking team in the league with 43 goals scored in 21 games. Some of the most impressive displays saw the hosts destroying Chicago Fire (4-0), Colorado Rapids (5-3) and Austin (5-1). With the mood at a red-hot high, Real Salt Lake City will aim to overtake Inter Miami in the stands benefiting from Messi and Suarez’s absence due to the Copa America tournament.

Team News

Although Pablo Mastreoni has five players out with long-term injuries, the American coach successfully replaced the absentees. Right Winger Andres Gomes is expected to steal the spotlights following an impressive performance against Houston Dynamo with an MVP title received at the end of the final whistle.

Atlanta United

While Atlanta United was tipped to be a strong contender in the Eastern Conference play-offs battle, the visitors slow started with only 3 wins in 14 rounds saw the team in 9th place, level on points (24) with Toronto and Orlando City.

Still, defeating Western Conference current leaders in Miami (1-3) is a good mark that proves Atlanta United’s ability to compete against MLS’s best. Furthermore, the visitors aim to extend their H2H superiority by remaining undefeated against Real Salt Lake City following a positive balance of 3 wins and a single defeat.

Nevertheless, the H2H advantage and the shocking win against Inter Miami is just half of the story as The Five Stripes recorded only a pair of wins away this term. Besides defeating Messi’s team, Atlanta United narrowly edged DC United following a tight contest that ended 0-1.

Because of the visitors’ lack of consistency displayed during the campaign, Rob Valentino’s team faces an uphill battle attempting to defend their play-off status. More so, Atlanta must be at its best to return a positive outcome at First Field Stadium where the local side failed only twice in the last 10 rounds.

Team News

Rob Valentino can line up his strongest team having no injured and suspended players. However, right-back Brooks Lennon is at risk of suspension. Daniel Rios is expected to spearhead the attacking line hoping to replicate his performance against the New England Revolution when he scored late in the game to reduce the deficit.

Key factors to consider

• Real Salt Lake City lost a single game in the last 10 rounds
• The hosts lead the goals scored charts with 43 strikes in 21 games
• Atlanta United defeated Inter Miami this season (1-3)
• The visitors struggle on the road recording only a pair of wins this term

Conclusion

Real Salt Lake City can claim the leading position in the Western Conference with a win against Atlanta United. Although the visitors made a statement earlier in the season by defeating away Inter Miami, the hosts have enough quality to win the contest.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 49/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet