Atlanta United will be looking to make it three home wins on the bounce for the first time since April when they play host to Columbus Crew at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday evening.
With just two games to go before the end of the regular season, both sides have already secured a place in the playoffs and are ramping up preparations for post-season action.
Match preview
© Reuters
Atlanta continue to struggle for results away from home as they suffered a 3-2 defeat against Philadelphia Union when the sides squared off at Subaru Park on Wednesday.
Despite second-half efforts from Thiago Almada and Edwin Mosquera, Atlanta were left empty handed as Daniel Gazdag, Mikael Uhre and Julian Carranza scored in the first half to inspire the hosts to a narrow victory.
Gonzalo Pineda's men have now failed to win five of their last six away matches across all competitions, claiming two draws and losing three, including a 4-0 loss against Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup on July 26.
However, Atlanta United now return home, where they have won three of their last four matches since the start of August, with a 2-1 defeat against FC Cincinnati on August 31 being the exception.
With 49 points from 32 matches, the Five Stripes are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, four points and two places behind Saturday's visitors heading into the final two games of the season.
© Reuters
Columbus Crew, on the other hand, continued their strong end to the season as they picked up a hard-fought 2-1 victory over New England Revolution on Wednesday.
In an action-packed contest at the Gillette Stadium, Diego Rossi and Malte Amundsen scored either side of Tomas Chancalay's 48th-minute equaliser to hand the visitors a narrow victory.
Columbus Crew have now gone four consecutive games without defeat, winning twice and picking up two draws since a 4-3 loss against Orlando City at the Exploria Stadium on September 17.
While Wilfried Nancy's side will look to keep the ball rolling this weekend, they have managed just two wins in their last eight away matches since mid-June, while losing three and claiming three draws in that time.
However, the Crew journey to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium where they have recently enjoyed success, scoring seven goals and conceding twice since a 3-1 defeat in August 2018.
Team News
© Reuters
Atlanta United will take to the pitch without 24-year-old forward Machop Chol, who is set to sit out his third consecutive game through a leg injury.
Twenty-year-old Tyler Wolff missed the game trio to Philadelphia Union last time out through a muscle injury and is also a major doubt for this weekend's hosts.
They are joined on the Five Stripes' injury table by veteran midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, who has been sidelined since picking up a knee injury against Seattle Sounders on August 21.
As for Columbus Crew, Nancy will be unable to call upon American forward William Sands, who has been sidelined since April through a knee injury.
Rossi has been on song for the Crew since his summer move from Fenerbahce and the Uruguayan forward, who has five goal involvements in nine matches this season, should lead the attack alongside Cucho Hernandez.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Robinson, Abram, Wiley; Muyumba, Rossetto; Silva, Almada, Lobzhanidze; Giakoumakis
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Farsi, Amundsen; Zawadzki, Nagbe, Morris, Yeboah; Matan, Rossi, Hernandez
We say: Atlanta United 1-1 Columbus Crew
Atlanta United and Columbus Crew have enjoyed a solid campaign and will be looking to build up some momentum ahead of the playoffs. The Crew are unbeaten in their last three games against Atlanta, picking up two wins and one draw, and given their current form, we fancy them holding out for a point in this one.
How to watch
You can watch Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew 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.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
