Two teams looking to halt respective poor streaks will go head-to-head when Austin FC host Atlanta United in Major League Soccer at Q2 Stadium.
The hosts have lost their last three league matches, while the visitors are without a win in their last six league games.
Match preview
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Austin made a strong start to the season, picking up 12 points from their first six matches, but things have unravelled since then, with just one win in their last six league outings.
Nico Estevez‘s men have lost four of those games, including each of their last three, most recently a 2-1 defeat away to FC Cincinnati.
Despite a confidence-boosting 3-2 win over El Paso Locomotive in the US Open Cup round-of-32, Austin have struggled to replicate that spark in the league.
Currently ninth in the Western Conference with 16 points, they will hope returning home, and facing a vulnerable Atlanta side, can be the turning point.
Austin also won the only previous meeting between these sides, cruising to a 3-0 victory in 2022, which will leave them confident heading into this clash.
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Atlanta United, meanwhile, are enduring a season to forget, as Ronny Deila‘s men sit second-bottom in the Eastern Conference on 10 points, just four ahead of basement club CF Montreal.
After an opening-day win over Montreal, the Five Stripes have collected just one more victory in their next 11 matches.
Their current form reads four defeats and two draws from their last six, including a 2-1 loss to Chicago Fire last time out.
To make matters worse, they have been dire away from home with no wins on the road, recording four losses and a single draw in five road trips.
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Team News
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Austin FC head into this clash without defender Mikkel Desler and midfielder Daniel Pereira, who are both sidelined through injury.
The hosts are also set to be without Robert Taylor, as the 30-year-old continues his recovery from a hamstring problem, further limiting their defensive options.
Atlanta remain without Stian Rode Gregersen, who has missed the last couple of matches due to a quad injury.
In addition, the visitors have a fitness concern over Pedro Amador, who remains a doubt as he looks to overcome an adductor issue.
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Gallagher, Biro, Svatok, Hines-Ike, Kolmanic; Wolff, llie, Sabovic; Vazquez, Uzuni
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Williams, Abram, Edwards, Hernandez; Miranchuk, Kilch, Fortune, Almiron; Latte Lath
We say: Austin FC 2-1 Atlanta United
Austin should have enough quality to see off an out-of-sorts Atlanta side, especially with home advantage on their side, while they have still managed a semblance of consistency and stability at some point in recent weeks.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
