Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Luckster
Two sides who find themselves scrapping it out at the foot of the Eastern Conference standings, DC United will welcome Atlanta to Audi Field in the early hours of Sunday.
DC United
Starting with the hosts, while DC United might have got June underway with a much-welcomed 2-1 victory against Cincinnati, Troy Lesesne’s men have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Last seen putting in another downbeat display as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at home against Nashville, the Eagles have now lost all of their previous three consecutive MLS appearances and they have watched their play-off dreams take a critical blow. Along with suffering back-to-back blanks, the Washington-based outfit have also shown some glaring defensive struggles. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny on June 8th as they slumped to an infamous 7-1 drumming at home against Chicago, DC United have failed to muster a single clean sheet in front of their own supporters since the middle of May.
DC United Team News
Missing out against Nashville last week with a reported knee injury, DC United will once again be without Nottingham Forest loanee Kristian Fletcher on Sunday. However, after featuring for Guatemala at this summer’s Gold Cup, Aaron Herrera should return to Lesesne’s squad.
Completing a free transfer from Toronto ahead of the 2025 campaign, Brandon Servania will start in the middle of the park. Making a camp appearance off the bench last week, former Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke should be handed a full recall.
Atlanta United
As for the visitors, while Atlanta might have signed off May with consecutive MLS victories, the Five Stripes find themselves in an almost identical position to Sunday’s opponents. Last seen falling to what was a routine 3-1 defeat away at Columbus, Ronny Delia’s side are enduring another public struggle. On a rut that is highlighted by a 4-0 drumming at the hands of New York City on June 13th, the one-time Celtic boss has seen his squad lose all of their previous three outings by an aggregate score of 9-1. Winning just a pair of their last 13 MLS outings – a run that stems all the way back to March 29th – Sunday’s guests have also shown their own respective defensive struggles. In fact, Deila’s downbeat squad have failed to put a single clean sheet on the board since the start of March.
Atlanta United Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Atlanta will once again be without the likes of Cayman Togashi, Derrick Williams and former Cercle Brugge midfielder Kristian Muyumba this weekend.
While Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Latte Lath might have only notched six MLS strikes since completing a big-money move from Middlesbrough, the 26-year-old will spearhead Deila’s attack here. Former Leeds United ace Mateusz Klich will partner fellow ex-Polish international Bartosz Slisz in the middle of the park.
DC United vs Atlanta United Key Factors to Consider
- DC United have lost their last three consecutive MLS appearances by an aggregate score of 10-1.
- Likewise, Atlanta have lost their previous three MLS outings by an aggregate score of 9-1.
- The Five Stripes have failed to put a single MLS clean sheet on the board since the start of March.
- DC United have registered just a pair of points from their previous five straight MLS matchups at Audi Field.
- Atlanta have conceded at least a pair of goals in nine of their 10 MLS away from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Conclusion
Two camps who are enduring their own public ruts, both DC United and Atlanta know the importance of claiming a much-welcomed boost here. In a showdown between two defences who have continued to show their own glaring defensive issues, chances could come thick and fast at Audi Field. It should be noted, with five of the previous six meetings between Sunday’s opponents finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Luckster
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