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

Seeking to bounce back from respective defeats last time out, Atlanta United and Inter Miami face off at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday.

With both sides vying for a playoff spot, the game has all the makings of an enthralling affair as the season reaches its final knockings.

Match preview

Atlanta United FC forward Josef Martinez (7) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against DC United at Audi Field on August 24, 2021 © Reuters

Atlanta United were denied a fourth league victory on the bounce following a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on Saturday.

Despite an inspired performance from Brad Guzan in goal, a Kacper Przybylko strike in the 70th minute condemned Gonzalo Pineda's men to defeat in Chester.

The Five Stripes missed out on an opportunity to climb up into seventh place but remain just a point adrift of the last playoff place in the Eastern Conference.

Their next task comes against an opposing side who are unbeaten in each of the last five meetings between the teams in the last 12 months.

With a clash against seventh-placed Montreal to follow, Thursday's hosts will want to stay within touching distance ahead of what is set to be a season-defining clash.

Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville helps D.C. United midfielder Kevin Paredes (30) to get up on June 9, 2021 © Reuters

Inter Miami suffered a second consecutive home defeat in the space of five days on Thursday when they were thrashed 5-1 by Nashville SC.

Hany Mukhtar found the back of net twice against Gary Neville's men, and he was joined on the scoresheet by Walker Zimmerman, Randall Leal and Alistair Johnston, with Gonzalo Higuain scoring his side's only goal of the contest.

Consequently, the Herons have dropped to 10th position in the standings, four points behind their next opponents albeit with a game in hand.

Thursday's visitors, who picked up 16 of 18 points available between August 19 and September 15, will be aiming to rediscover their midas touch.

Atlanta United Major League Soccer form:

Inter Miami Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Inter Miami CF teammates celebrate on June 26, 2021 © Reuters

Jorge Figal has served a one-game ban for picking up a red card in the visitors' defeat to New York Red Bulls and the Argentine is eligible for selection once again.

However, Gregore is suspended for Thursday's fixture after the 27-year-old receiving his marching orders versus Nashville last time out.

Having registered in each of his last three outings on home turf, Ezequiel Barco will be looking to put on another impressive display in attack.

Josef Martinez played no part in Atlanta's last involvement, but the forward is expected back in the starting XI for this one to partner the aforementioned Barco.

Amar Sejdic and Emerson Hyndman are both ruled out for the home side through injuries, while Franco Ibarra is also not expected to participate.

Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Walkes, Robinson, Campbell; Bello, Moreno, Sosa, Lennon, Rossetto; Barco, Martinez

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Marsman; Makoun, Figal, Pirez; Morgan, Chapman, Matuidi, Shea; Robinson, Pizarro, Higuain

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We say: Atlanta United 2-1 Inter Miami

The onus is more on Atlanta United to seize the initiative and claim all three points in front of their fans while Inter Miami go in search of a quick response to an embarrassing defeat last time out.

We expect an open and entertaining affair with the home side just edging it by the odd goal come the full-time whistle.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Atlanta United win with a probability of 59.05%. A draw had a probability of 24.1% and a win for Inter Miami had a probability of 16.89%.

The most likely scoreline for an Atlanta United win was 1-0 with a probability of 14.62%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (12.22%) and 2-1 (9.35%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (11.18%), while for a Inter Miami win it was 0-1 (6.69%). The actual scoreline of 1-0 was predicted with a 14.6% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted a 1-0 win for Atlanta United in this match.