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Atlanta United
Major League Soccer
Nov 2, 2024 at 11pm UK
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Inter Miami

Atlanta
vs.
Inter Miami

Preview: Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between Atlanta United and Inter Miami, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Inter Miami can book a place in the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs with a victory over Atlanta United in game two of that series on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Last Friday, the Herons hung on to a 2-1 triumph in the first match of this series, in what was their first post-season victory in club history.


Match preview

 Atlanta United striker Daniel Rios celebrates a goal on July 26, 2024© Imago

For the second time in 10 days, Atlanta United will face elimination, except this time, they are doing it against the top team in the league throughout the regular season.

There is no question they have a huge hill to climb, given the calibre of their opponent, but in match one of this series, they gave them a good fight, losing by just a single goal.

That said, they spent a good portion of the match defending, with only 34% possession and two efforts on target, both of which may have to change if they are to stay alive in the playoffs.

Rob Valentino's men have earned points in two of their last three MLS home fixtures, winning their previous game in Atlanta against the New York Red Bulls (2-1).

The Five Stripes have not lost a playoff contest at Mercedes-Benz Stadium since 2019 (2-1 versus Toronto), winning their only post-season encounter in Atlanta last year against the Columbus Crew (4-2).

They are unbeaten in their last five home fixtures versus the Herons, playing to a 2-2 draw on matchday 32 of this regular season.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez celebrate on October 2, 2024© Imago

We did not see the best of Miami in game one, but it was enough to get the job done and move one step away from making the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time.

It was their third successive victory when scoring the opening goal after they had failed to win their previous two games when doing so.

Tata Martino's men are on a 12-match unbeaten run domestically, including five in a row outside of Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

Since losing 3-2 at home to CF Montreal in March, this team are unbeaten in their last 22 league contests in which they netted multiple times.

Miami have won their last four encounters against Eastern Conference opposition and have not lost to a side in the East since FC Cincinnati clobbered them 6-1 in early July.

The Herons are winless in six of their seven visits to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with their lone triumph coming in their inaugural MLS campaign in 2020 (2-1).

Atlanta United Major League Soccer form:

Inter Miami Major League Soccer form:


Team News

 Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan pictured on September 18, 2024© Imago

In the opening match of this series, Atlanta were without Edwin Mosquera due to a sore knee, and Quentin Westberg sat out because of a head injury.

Saba Lobzhanidze briefly drew his side level last Friday just a few minutes before the interval, scoring his second goal in his previous three MLS affairs.

On the Miami side, Nicolas Freire and Facundo Farias will not be available for the remainder of the campaign due to ACL issues, David Ruiz and Oscar Ustari are dealing with hamstring issues, while Ian Fray limped off in the latter stages of game one and is questionable for this match.

Luis Suarez put his team in front after just two minutes last week, with Lionel Messi setting up the winner by Jordi Alba on the hour mark.

Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Rode Gregersen, Williams, Amador; McCarty, Slisz; Lobzhanidze, Miranchuk, Fortune; Rios

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Weigandt, Aviles, Martinez, Alba; Bright, Busquets, Rojas; Gressel, Suarez, Messi


SM words green background

We say: Atlanta United 1-3 Inter Miami (Inter Miami wins series 2-0)

It has rarely been a straightforward victory for Miami, but their individual quality always seems to shine when needed, and we believe that alone will be enough to see them eliminate the Five Stripes this weekend.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Data Failed

Who will win Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between Atlanta and Inter Miami?

Atlanta United
Draw
Inter Miami
Atlanta United
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Inter Miami
100%
3
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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