Preview: Atlanta United vs. Orlando City - prediction, team news, lineups

Atlanta United welcome Orlando City to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday aiming to return to winning ways following a first defeat in six league games last time out.

Meanwhile, the visiting team head into the clash looking to extend their unbeaten run in the MLS, which currently stands at seven matches.

Match preview

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Atlanta United failed in their quest to pick up a fifth win on the bounce following a 2-0 home defeat against Nashville SC on August 28.

Gonzalo Pineda's men dominated proceedings for the majority of the game but were undone by late goals in either half from Daniel Rios and Randall Leal.

The Five Stripes missed out on an opportunity to move level on points with DC United in the race for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

They now await the visit of an Orlando City side who they have not defeated in any of the last six meetings between the teams after winning each of the last four prior to that.

Having managed to amass just 15 points from 10 outings on their own turf this term, Saturday's hosts need to improve their home record to stand a real chance of reaching the postseason.

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Orlando City made it two home victories in three fixtures by beating defending champions Columbus Crew 3-2 at the Exploria Stadium on Sunday.

Oscar Pareja's men went into the interval with a two-goal advantage courtesy of goals from Daryl Dike and Silvester van der Water but were pegged back early in the second half, before Junior Urso popped up with the winner in the 69th minute.

The Lions stay 14 points adrift of league leaders New England Revolution with two games in hand as the season progresses into its final third.

With no wins in any of their last five matches away from home, Saturday's visitors will be keen on getting back to winning ways on their travels.

Team News

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Mohammed Adams and Emerson Hyndman are faced with long spells on the sidelines as they continue to recover from hamstring and ACL injuries respectively.

Jake Mulraney and Franco Ibarra will play no part in this weekend's contest due to leg injuries, while Santiago Sosa could make his return to his starting XI after sitting out the last two games.

Despite an unproductive display versus Nashville, Josef Martinez has scored four times in his last six appearances, and the Venezuelan is one to keep an eye on.

Jhegson Mendez and Alexandre Pato are Orlando City's only absentees for the game with Pareja expected to name an unchanged starting XI.

Nani was directly involved in a goal for the 16th time last time out and only the trio of Daniel Salloi, Valentin Castellanos and Hany Mukhtar have managed more in the entire division.

Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Robinson, Franco, Walkes, Bello; Araujo, Sejdic, Moreno; Martinez, Barco

Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Grinwis; Ruan, Carlos, Jansson, Moutinho; Urso, DeZart, Mueller; Van der Water, Nani, Dike

We say: Atlanta United 1-1 Orlando City

Both teams come into the game on a decent run of results and both will feel that a win is there for the taking. We are anticipating an open and end-to-end affair with goals at either end with honours even at the full-time whistle.