Preview: Atlanta United vs. Portland Timbers - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the away side make the trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium aiming to end a run of consecutive defeats and pick up a first win since the opening weekend.

Match preview

Atlanta United saw off the threat of Charlotte FC thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 victory in the sides' meeting at the Bank of America Stadium on Saturday.

A first-half double from Caleb Wiley either side of Luiz Araujo's strike got the job done for Gonzalo Pineda's men in a largely one-sided affair.

Consequently, The Five Stripes currently lead the way in the Eastern conference of the MLS table, ahead of nearest challengers Nashville and Cincinnati on goal difference.

Lying in store next is the task of facing off against an opposing outfit who have come out on top in just one of the previous five encounters across all competitions.

However, that solitary victory did come in the most recent edition of this fixture back in September when Sunday's hosts fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat.

Portland Timbers were left red-faced by newcomers St. Louis City following a 2-1 home defeat when the teams faced off at Providence Park on Sunday morning.

Giovanni Savarese's men took the lead early on through Zac McGraw but failed to hold on to that advantage until the interval courtesy of Jared Stroud's equaliser after which Kyle Hiebert completed the turnaround 15 minutes from time.

Despite amassing just three points from as many league games so far, the Oregon-based side sit eighth in the Western Conference standings, one point off the final playoff spot.

Having conceded a whopping 10 goals across their last five away outings, Sunday's visitors will need to tighten up at the back if they are to emerge victorious this weekend.

Atlanta United Major League Soccer form:

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L

L

W

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W

Portland Timbers Major League Soccer form:

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W

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L

Team News

Osvaldo Alonso remains sidelined with a long-term knee problem and the midfielder is still a long way off making his return to action for Atlanta.

Eighteen-year-old Caleb Wiley was directly involved in all of the home side's three goals one time out, making him one to keep an eye on here.

Portland's duo of Dairon Asprilla and David Ayala are out of contention due to knee injuries, while Tega Ikoba continues to nurse a groin issue.

The visitors will also be without the services of Colombia international Yimmi Chara, who has missed the last two matches through a muscle injury.

Cristhian Paredes was hauled off in the first half of the defeat to St. Louis City due to an injury scare which could rule him out of Sunday's clash.

Atlanta United possible starting lineup:

Guzan; Gutman, Sanchez, Robinson, Lenon; Ibarra, Sejdic; Wiley, Almada, Araujo; Berry

Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:

Bingham; Mosquera, Zuparic, Mabiala, McGraw, Bravo; Evander, Williamson, Chara; Moreno, Fogaca

We say: Atlanta United 2-1 Portland Timbers

Atlanta have been poor on home turf of late but their recent form should give them cause for optimism heading into this weekend's game. We anticipate an open and end-to-end affair with the hosts narrowly coming out on top in the end.

How to watch

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