Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to secure consecutive MLS victories in the early hours of Thursday, Columbus will welcome Atlanta to Ohio.
Columbus Crew
Starting with the hosts, managing to claim what was a much-welcomed boost last time out as they clinched a 2-1 victory against Vancouver, Columbus will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. Drawing a line under their six-match winless rut prior to the summer interval, Wilfried Nancy’s side are sat firmly in the driving seat to punch another play-off ticket this season. Clinching a silver medal finish in the Eastern Conference last year, Columbus will also be excited by their rugged success on home soil. Including an action-packed 4-2 victory against Charlotte last month, Thursday’s hosts have suffered just a single defeat in Ohio so far this calendar year. It should also be highlighted, Columbus have bagged 11 goals 11 goals in their last five showdowns in front of their own supporters.
Columbus Crew Team News
Yet to make a single appearance so far this season and still sidelined with a long-term thigh issue, Columbus will once again be without French defender Rudy Camacho. Away with the USA at this summer’s Gold Cup, Maximilian Arfsten will not feature in the early hours of Thursday.
Once again finding the net against Vancouver last time out, former Fenerbahce striker Diego Rossi will lead the line in Ohio. Ukrainian international Yevgen Cheberko will partner Sean Zawadzki at the heart of Nancy’s defence.
Atlanta United
As for the visitors, while Atlanta might have signed off May with consecutive MLS victories, the Five Stripes have come crashing back down to earth. Last seen putting in a nightmare display as they slumped to a 4-0 drumming at the hands of New York City, Donny Deila certainly finds some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Getting June underway with a 2-0 loss away at the New York Red Bulls, Thursday’s guests find themselves scrapping it out at the foot of the Eastern Conference table. In fact, Atlanta have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their last 12 straight MLS appearances – a rut that stems all the way back to March 29th. It should also be noted, Deila’s downbeat squad have also picked up just two points on their travels since the middle of February.
Atlanta United Team News
Both dealing with respective thigh issues, Atalanta will once again be unable to call upon the duo of Stian Gregersen and Colombian international Edwin Mosquera here. However, featuring for Trinidad and Tobago over the past fortnight, 22-year-old Ajani Fortune should return to Deila’s squad.
Despite struggling to make much of an impact after completing a big-money switch from Middlesbrough prior to the 2025 campaign, Emmanuel Latte Lath should be handed a full recall. Former Leeds ace Mateusz Klich will start in the middle of the park.
Columbus Crew vs Atlanta United Key Factors to Consider
- When Columbus and Atlanta last met back in July 2024, the Five Stripes collected a 2-1 victory at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
- Atlanta have collected just a pair of points on the road since the middle of February.
- Columbus have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous 13 consecutive MLS appearances.
- Likewise, all of those 13 consecutive appearances have finished with both teams finding the net.
- Atlanta have failed to record a single MLS clean sheet away from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium since way back in September 2024.
Conclusion
Making a much-welcomed return to winning ways prior to the summer interval as they claimed a 2-1 victory against Vancouver, Columbus will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. Drawing a line under their six-match winless rut, Thursday’s hosts have gained a reputation for their lively outcomes. It should be highlighted, Columbus have seen all of their last 13 consecutive MLS showdowns finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome in Ohio.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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