Atlanta United vs Columbus Crew

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the venue as Atlanta United and Columbus Crew go head-to-head in a handsomely-looking MLS encounter.

Injury-hit Atlanta hit back twice to hold Nashville to a 2-2 draw last time out. Interestingly, Atlanta’s last three competitive games have yielded the identical 2-2 scoreline, highlighting the potential for an action-packed contest at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Adding to this sentiment, three of their five previous MLS meetings with Columbus have seen both teams on the scoresheet in matches garnering 3+ goals. But the ‘Five Stripes’ will be primarily focused on getting a result here, as they take the field sitting level on points with seventh-placed Charlotte. That’s a feat they should be able to achieve, as they are unbeaten in all six MLS outings at home this season (W3, D3).

On the other hand, Columbus have suffered a noticeable dip in form heading into this round, going from three MLS fixtures without losing (W1, D2) to back-to-back league defeats, both of which yielded the same 2-0 scoreline. A lack of scoring prowess up top has seen the ‘Crew’ fail to get on the scoreboard in six of their last nine MLS matches, with only three sides from the Eastern Conference netting fewer goals than them (15) so far. What’s more, Caleb Porter’s men have won none of their six MLS away games this term (D4, L2), drawing a blank on three of their last four top-flight travels.