Saturday's MLS predictions including Los Angeles FC vs. LA Galaxy

Atlanta vs. Nashville (Saturday, 8.30pm)

Atlanta United have an opportunity to extend their unbeaten run to six games when they host Nashville SC on Saturday at Mercedes Benz Stadium.

The Five Stripes have won three in a row since appointing Gonzalo Pineda as manager, while Nashville are in a battle for second in the Eastern Conference, currently sitting two points behind Orlando City for that spot.

We say: Atlanta United 2-1 Nashville SC

Finally, the Five Stripes are starting to play to their capabilities, and they should not have any problem maintaining their momentum with a capacity crowd expected to cheer them on this weekend.

Nashville have been able to hang around in all of their matches this season, but they struggle to find the back of the net away from home, having been shut out of four road games this season.

NY Red Bulls vs. Chicago Fire (Saturday, 11.00pm)

Two teams desperate to get back into the playoff race in the Eastern Conference will take to the field on Saturday as the New York Red Bulls host the Chicago Fire from Red Bull Arena.

New York are five points behind in the playoff chase right now, while Chicago have suffered back-to-back one-goal defeats.

We say: New York Red Bulls 1-0 Chicago Fire

15 of the last 17 matches between these sides have been decided by a goal or fewer and only two points separate them in the table, but New York seem to remember their defensive responsibilities in front of their home fans, maintaining five clean sheets at Red Bull Arena this season.

Los Angeles vs. LA Galaxy (Sunday, 12.00am)

El Trafico takes place on Sunday at the Banc of California Stadium, where Los Angeles Galaxy travel to take on rivals Los Angeles FC in the MLS Western Conference.

The two sides have already met this season on May 9, when Greg Vanney's side came out as winners thanks to goals from Javier Hernandez and Jonathan dos Santos.

We say: Los Angeles FC 2-2 Los Angeles Galaxy

Bradley's side will be glad to return to California this weekend and a home game could be what they need to break their run of consecutive defeats.

Galaxy's frailties defensively have cost them points in recent games and Sunday is likely to be no different, however, they will look to attack the game and could be rewarded by scoring a couple of goals to earn a point against their rivals.

NY City vs. New England (Sunday, 12.30am)

New York City FC are hoping to do something that very few teams have done this year, beat the New England Revolution, and they will have an opportunity to do that on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

The Pigeons are in fifth in the Eastern Conference, but only two points behind Orlando City for second place, while the Revs are on a roll, unbeaten in nine consecutive games, with a 15-point cushion over their nearest competitor.

We say: New York City FC 1-3 New England Revolution

New York should provide a strong challenge for New England, much more so than Cincinnati were able to last week, however, they do not have the same attacking depth that the Revs possess and are becoming heavily dependent on Castellanos to score.

The Revolution are laser-focused right now and determined to keep winning and they have been exceptional on the road of late with 11 goals in their last four games, all of which were wins.

DC United vs. Philadelphia (Sunday, 1.00am)

DC United are looking to end their run of three consecutive defeats when they host Philadelphia Union on Sunday, in the Eastern Conference of the MLS.

The visitors have 32 points to their name after playing 21 matches, while DC United sit in seventh but only above Atlanta United on goal difference.

We say: DC United 1-2 Philadelphia Union

DC United have scored at least one goal in their last five MLS games and that is expected to continue on Sunday having registered 20 shots on target in their last three outings.

However, Philadelphia know how to get the better of DC United, having done so twice already this season, and they go into this fixture in better form than their hosts, which should help them come away with three points.

Houston vs. Minnesota Utd (Sunday, 1.30am)

Minnesota United are looking to return to winning ways on Sunday when they travel to struggling Houston Dynamo in the MLS Western Conference.

Adrian Heath's side have only managed one win in their last six outings, which came against this weekend's opponents at the beginning of August, while Houston did end a four-game run of defeats with a draw last time out.

We say: Houston Dynamo 1-1 Minnesota United

Houston have an opportunity to string a few positive results together during their run of back-to-back games at home, and they will back themselves to get on the scoresheet after netting twice last time out.

Minnesota are not in great form having only won once in their last six games, and their recent games have been low scoring and that is likely to continue on Sunday as the side continue without Robin Lod.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids (Sunday, 2am)

There will be plenty at stake on Saturday when the Colorado Rapids travel to Children's Mercy Park to face Sporting Kansas City.

The Wizards can move into a tie for first in the Western Conference with the Seattle Sounders with a victory, and the Burgundy Boys have a chance to leapfrog KC and move into second with a win.

We say: Sporting Kansas City 1-2 Colorado Rapids

Kansas City have shown some small glimpses of inconsistency of late, and although it is not something to be overly concerned about, they have been uncharacteristically poor at home lately with just one win in their last five matches in all competitions.

The Rapids have shown a lot of resilience since an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to their rivals Real Salt Lake and are unbeaten in their previous three road fixtures.