Atlanta United will look to halt their worrying slide when they host an in-form Philadelphia Union side at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium this weekend in Major League Soccer.
The hosts are third-bottom in the table with 11 points and are enduring a winless streak, while the visitors are second in the table with 26 points.
Match preview
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Atlanta have endured a difficult campaign under Ronny Deila, sitting just four points above bottom-placed CF Montreal, the only team they have beaten all season.
Since that opening-day victory, the Five Stripe have failed to find any consistency, managing just one further win in 11 matches and going winless in their last seven league outings.
Their most recent outing saw them rescue a 1-1 draw at Austin FC thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser, but the late drama did little to mask another underwhelming performance.
Atlanta’s two wins this term have both come on home turf, and they will hope the familiar surroundings offer a platform to cause an upset.
However, they face a tough task against an in-form Union side they have not beaten in their last four meetings, suffering two defeats and two draws.
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Meanwhile, Philadelphia Union are flying high and arrive in Georgia full of confidence, as a last-gasp goal from Tai Baribo earned them a 3-2 win over LA Galaxy last time out, ending a 13-year wait for a win against the California outfit.
It was a result that epitomised their current form, with Bradley Carnell‘s men now unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions, winning five of those.
That strong run has propelled Philadelphia to within touching distance of the top of the Eastern Conference, sitting just two points off the summit.
While two of their three league defeats have come on the road, they remain the most potent attacking side in the conference with 26 goals, a key weapon they will look to unleash once again.
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Team News
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Atlanta United remain without Stian Rode Gregersen, who continues to nurse a quad injury that has sidelined him for the past couple of matches.
Pedro Amador is also unavailable due to an adductor issue, while Brooks Lennon misses out with a hamstring problem.
Philadelphia Union may once again be without first-choice goalkeeper Andre Blake, whose knee injury ruled him out of the win over LA Galaxy and will be reassessed ahead of the trip.
The visitors are also set to be without defenders Ian Glavinovich and Neil Pierre, both of whom are recovering from long-term knee problems.
Baribo, who moved to the top of the goalscoring charts with a brace in the previous match, is expected to lead the line once again alongside Bruno Damiani.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Edwards, Williams, Abram, Cobb, Hernandez; Miranchuk, Kilch, Slisz, Almiron; Latte Lath
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Rick; Westfield, Glesnes, Harriel, Wagner; Sullivan, Lukic, Jacques, Vassilev; Damiani, Baribo
We say: Atlanta United 1-3 Philadelphia Union
Atlanta’s home form offers a glimmer of hope, but their overall struggles and mounting injuries leave them vulnerable against a confident and in-form Philadelphia side, and with Baribo firing and the Union pushing for top spot, the visitors should have enough quality to edge this contest.
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