Fifth-placed Atlanta United and third-placed New England Revolution are separated by just two points in the Eastern Conference ahead of their midweek MLS showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The hosts scored late to snatch a 1-1 draw against Orlando City last time out, while the visitors came from 2-0 down to rescue a 3-3 draw with Chicago Fire.
Match preview
© Reuters
Rising star Tyler Wolff netted an 86th-minute equaliser to earn Atlanta United a draw at Orlando City last weekend, with the 20-year-old coming off the bench to score in back-to-back substitute appearances.
Following a three-match losing run across late April and early May, the Five Stripes appear to have rediscovered their early-season form, taking five points from their previous three outings to cement their place in the top seven.
After thrashing the Colorado Rapids 4-0 – racking up a whopping 27 shots in the process – Atlanta played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Chicago Fire before holding Orlando last time out, meaning that Gonzalo Pineda's men carry a three-game unbeaten streak into the midweek round of fixtures.
Better still, the Five Stripes have won five of their seven home league games this season, suffering a solitary defeat along the way, and they have also netted 16 goals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2023, helping them achieve the joint-best offensive record in the entire league.
Former Celtic striker Georgios Giakoumakis has scored eight goals in 11 MLS outings this term, while Argentine playmaker Thiago Almada has notched six goals and seven assists, making Atlanta one of the deadliest teams in the division.
© Reuters
When New England found themselves 2-0 down after 22 minutes last weekend, it looked as though Chicago would become the first MLS team to win at Gillette Stadium this season, but Bruce Arena's boys battled back to secure a share of the spoils.
Following goals from Noel Buck and Bobby Wood before half time, Maren Haile-Selassie put the Fire back ahead in the 78th minute, but veteran forward Jozy Altidore came off the bench to find the back of the net and rescue a point for his team.
The Revs made a hugely impressive start to the season, losing just one of their first 11 league outings while picking up seven wins, but they have let their performance levels slip in recent weeks, taking only one point from their last three matches.
The 2021 Supporters' Shield winners suffered defeats to Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union prior to last weekend's draw, so they will be eager to return to winning ways and close to gap on FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC above.
Although New England boast one of the best defensive records in the Eastern Conference, they must improve their away form if they want to challenge for silverware this season, as Arena's side have lost three of their previous six matches on the road.
Team News
© Reuters
Atlanta United look set to be without the injured trio of Osvaldo Alonso (ACL), Erik Lopez (ankle) and Amar Sejdic (calf) for the foreseeable future.
Caleb Wiley will also be absent from the Five Stripes' squad for a little while longer after the 18-year-old helped the United States reach the knockout phase of the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina.
Veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan is back between the sticks having recovered from injury, while top scorer Georgios Giakoumakis will continue to lead the line for the hosts.
New England have multiple injury absentees of their own, with Dylan Borrero (knee), Gustavo Bou (leg), Nacho Gil (leg), Henry Kessler (hamstring), Maciel (Achilles) and Tommy McNamara (leg) all currently sidelined.
With four goals and three assists to his name, Bobby Wood will resume his partnership with ex-Juventus forward Giacomo Vrioni in the Revs' forward line.
Elsewhere, DeJuan Jones and Emmanuel Boateng are expected to occupy the wing-back roles, while Matt Polster and Noel Buck will anchor the midfield.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Hernandez, Robinson, Sanchez, Gutman; Rossetto, Sosa; Lennon, Almada, Etienne; Giakoumakis
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Farrell, Romney, Makoun; Jones, Polster, Buck, Boateng; Blessing; Vrioni, Wood
We say: Atlanta United 3-0 New England Revolution
Boasting the best offensive record in the Eastern Conference, Atlanta United look set to notch another high-scoring victory at the expense of off-form New England, who have taken a solitary point from their previous three outings.
How to watch
You can watch Atlanta United vs. New England Revolution and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
