Atlanta United vs. New York Red Bulls Prediction, Preview and Odds - 6/27/21
Atlanta vs. New York Red Bulls
Atlanta is winless in their last four matches and at home they host a Red Bulls’ team that is coming off a tough loss.
New York has won two in a row before suffering a tough 3-2 loss to the East-leading New England Revolution in their last match. The team is in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference with four wins and five losses and they are only one of two teams in the MLS that has not played to a draw. The Red Bulls have a goal differential of +1 and their attack has been solid as of late scoring six goals in their last three matches.
Atlanta United FC is coming off a 1-0 loss to NTCFC in their last match and they have two draws and two losses in their last four matches. The club is in the 10th spot in the East and they are only a point back of the Red Bulls. Atlanta also has a goal differential of +1 on the season.
Two Does Not Cut It This Time Around
The Red Bulls had scored two goals in winning two in a row but even scoring two in the last match it was not enough in a 3-2 loss to New England. The club was down 3-0 before Patryk Klimala and Andrés Reyes scored to get them within one but they could not cap the comeback. There was even time of possession in the match and while New York outshot New England 21-10 each had six shots on target.
Caden Clark and Cristian Cásseres Jr. have combined for seven goals to lead New York and Fabio leads them with five assists. Fabio had an assist in the last match and scored a goal in the previous one. The Red Bulls only have one loss in their last nine matches facing Atlanta and in three of the last four matches facing them have beaten them 1-0. MF Florian Valot is listed as questionable with a knee injury and MF Cristian Cásseres Jr is out due to international duty.
Not the Same Attack
In their last match Atlanta was on the road losing to NYCFC 1-0 after they had scored four goals in their previous two matches. In the last match, NYCFC outshot Atlanta 18-6 and 7-3 in shots on target and while Atlanta won time of possession (53% to 47%) they were outplayed in the midfield and a giveaway in that area led to the only goal of the match. Atlanta FC has given up five goals in their last three matches.
Marcelino Moreno leads the club with three goals and while Josef Martínez is the only other player with multiple goals (2) he is out for this match due to international duty. No player has more than one assist for the team and that has been an issue for them this season with their lack of solid play in the midfield.
Side: New York Red Bulls +225
The Red Bulls are winless on the road this season but that will change after this match. The team has scored two goals in their last three matches and they have been solid in the midfield in that span, while the same cannot be said about Atlanta. New York has only one loss in their last nine matches facing Atlanta and even on the road, where they have not fared well this season, that trend will continue. The Red Bulls will press on the attack and they will be successful doing so against an Atlanta team that has had issues in the middle of the pitch. New York has good value in this road game and they will get the win and keep up their dominance over Atlanta FC.
Total: Over 2.5
While three of the last four matches between these clubs has gone Under by a score of 1-0 and Atlanta only gave up one goal in their last match I am still leaning towards the Over. The Red Bulls have scored two goals in each of their last two matches and before being shut out in their last match Atlanta had ticked the twine four times in two matches. I look for a higher-scoring affair in this Eastern Conference affair and bucking the recent total trends between these clubs and going with the Over.