MLS: New York Red Bull vs. Atlanta United Preview, Betting Tips, Prediction, Picks

The New York Red Bulls host the Atlanta United in the East Conference MLS matchup this Saturday night. These two teams are currently in a very shady period. The hosts are outside the playoffs and the play-in, yet close enough. They currently have problems in their game, which will be explained in the latter part of this article. Meanwhile, Atlanta United is fifth, but they, too, have certain issues that need to be addressed. We’ve seen them wasting points in some situations no one would expect. 

Preview

New York Red Bulls (-105) are one win away from the play-in area. But overall, there are only two teams worse in the East than them, according to the current standings. Troy Lesesne’s boys don’t have the needed chemistry nor consistency on the field, so the team’s results aren’t that good. 

The Bulls have only one triumph in the recent five appearances across all the competition. It was on the last day of May, in Miami, where they beat Inter, 0-1. Other than this, the Bulls had three defeats (one of them the elimination in the US Open Cup) and the most recent tie against Charlotte at home, 2-2.

Lesesne’s team usually plays inefficient events, and only three of the previous ten have been with three or more goals. Yet at home, the situation is a bit different, where three of the last four are with both teams netting or three or more hits.

Atlanta United (+280) managed to have five draws in the previous six meetings, wasting numerous chances of improving its position in the standings. Right now, the Five Stripes are fifth, but with several rivals chasing them and threatening to overtake that spot.

United’s attack is delivering regularly, and in five of the most recent seven events, we’ve seen them netting twice. The defense is problematic, as it usually allows plenty of chances for the rivals. Only two clean sheets in the recent ten speak for themselves. Meanwhile, the offense, couldn’t net in just one of those meetings.

The majority of Atlanta’s previous encounters have seen at least three goals (eight in the latest 10), and it’s the same with goals on both ends of the field (also eight in ten). 

Latest News

Morgan is injured for the home team and he will not play.

Erik Lopez is out for the guests, while Santiago Sosa remains questionable and will be a game-time decision. 

Head to Head Games

Atlanta was victorious in the first meeting of the year in early April, 1-0. The only goal was scored by Giakoumakis in the seventh minute of the event. 

Last year, we saw these two teams meeting twice and the Bulls won on both occasions with the same result, 2-1. 

Prediction

The hosts aren’t in good shape, yet their games at Yankee Stadium know to bring goals. On the other side, the rivals from Georgia are efficient enough to score at least once in New York, but their defense is pretty pale these days. That’s why we pick both teams to score in this game.

Pick: Both teams to score -110