Preview: Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew - prediction, team news, lineups

Having both enjoyed a midweek break due to early US Open Cup exits, the pair will kick off separated by just three points in the standings, with the hosts currently holding the upper hand.

Match preview

In search of just a second win from six outings, Atlanta were ultimately indebted to substitute Dom Dwyer's 88th-minute strike last time out, as they required a dramatic late equaliser to salvage even a point at Nashville.

Last Saturday's clash at GEODIS Park saw the teams play out a 2-2 draw, after a major rain delay brought the game to a halt midway through the first half - resulting in an away point for the visitors, which was sealed late into the night.

The Five Stripes' Southeastern rivals had only recently knocked them out of the US Open Cup - a defeat which came amid an underwhelming run of form at the Georgia club.

Gonzalo Pineda's side sit eighth in the Eastern Conference standings - just outside the last MLS Cup playoffs spot - having won, drawn and lost four fixtures so far.

Defensive deficiencies have undermined Atlanta's campaign to this point, but with struggling opponents now visiting the Benz, the attacking prowess of Thiago Almada and company could be set to shine; the hosts have posted a tally of 19 goals this term, including at least two in each of their last four games.

Taking into account their humbling third round cup exit to USL Championship side Detroit City last month, Columbus have managed just one win from their last ten matches dating back to mid-March.

The Black and Gold therefore languish down in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, with just 15 goals scored from 13 league games.

After previously taking four points from fixtures against DC United and New England, the Crew have since suffered successive 2-0 losses, after they also endured a long weather delay on Saturday night only to come out of their clash with LAFC empty-handed.

Following several hours waiting, Columbus controlled most of the opening hour on home turf, but nevertheless emerged scoreless for the sixth time in their last eight matches.

Finding themselves outside of the playoff picture, three points behind Atlanta, the side that finished ninth last year will be aiming to reverse their decline soon, and they now have one last chance to do so ahead of the international break.

Atlanta United Major League Soccer form:

Atlanta United form (all competitions):

Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:

Columbus Crew form (all competitions):

Team News

Atlanta United's injury list continues to lengthen ahead of Saturday's game, as defender Andrew Gutman has been ruled out for up to three months with a quad injury sustained against Nashville last week.

In Gutman's absence, the hosts are set to turn to Venezuela full-back Ronald Hernandez or Mikey Ambrose at left back, while goalkeeper Brad Guzan, Miles Robinson and Osvaldo Alonso are all sidelined by season-ending injuries.

While star striker Josef Martinez is back in training for the Five Stripes, after undergoing knee surgery last month, he will only be available for first-team selection next month. Therefore, top scorer Ronaldo Cisneros will once again lead the line up front.

Columbus manager Caleb Porter, meanwhile, is still searching for the right formula to end his team's goalscoring woes, but is expected to persist with a 4-2-3-1 formation built around Lucas Zelarayan.

The visitors' fortunes have nosedived during a nine-game barren spell for the Argentinian playmaker, who will most probably be joined by winger Derrick Etienne in attack.

Following the recent sale of Gyasi Zardes to Colorado, Miguel Berry has been favoured as the Crew's lone frontman.

Atlanta United possible starting lineup:

Shuttleworth; Lennon, Franco, DeJohn, Ambrose; Ibarra, Rossetto; Moreno, Almada, Araujo; Cisneros

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:

Room; Santos, Williams, Mensah, Moreira; Nagbe, Artur; Zelarayan, Yeboah, Etienne; Berry

We say: Atlanta United 1-0 Columbus Crew

There is little reason to suspect that Columbus can find their scoring touch on recent evidence, and even a single strike could be enough to seal maximum points for the hosts on Saturday.

Atlanta's attacking lineup can be formidable on their day, and even a spate of injuries will not deny them victory over an ailing opposition side.

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