Atlanta United currently occupy 5th place in the Eastern Conference and therefore sit in one of the play-off positions in the Conference ahead of their Wednesday night clash with Western Conference outfit, Minnesota United.
Overall form this season has been steady so far for Atlanta as they’ve collected 6 wins from their 13 matches played to date. They’ll be glad to be returning to their Mercedes-Benz Stadium for this encounter as the hosts suffered recent back-to-back defeats at New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake which has seen them lose ground on the top two clubs in the Eastern Conference.
However, all three points in Wednesday night’s clash against Minnesota would lift Atlanta into a possible 3rd spot, and having won their last three home matches on the trot against Colorado Rapids, Toronto and Orlando City, this looks a distinct possibility.
In addition, all three of these wins on home soil were all to nil while midfielder Barco (4 goals) and forward Martinez (6 goals) have been the danger men in front of goal so far this term for Atlanta United.
Minnesota United occupy a similar position in the Western Conference as they also sit in 5th spot. Unlike Atlanta United, they already trail the top placed club, Los Angeles by a massive 13-point margin, so it looks like they’ll have to settle for a place in the play-off pack, despite it still being early in the season.
Minnesota still remain unbeaten at their Allianz Field ground, recording 3 wins and 3 draws to date including recent back-to-back wins over Columbus Crew and Houston Dynamo, but like a lot of teams in the MLS, their form is severely tested on the road.
This becomes evident when looking at their recent results away from home which has resulted in Minnesota losing 4 of their last 5 matches on their travels with defeats incurred at LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, Toronto and Chicago Fire, with just 1 win during this miserable period to show for their troubles; a 2-1 win at New York Red Bulls.
The bigger picture shows us that Minnesota United have managed just 3 wins out of their last 22 on the road, and their trip to Atlanta looks another tough assignment.
Atlanta United with home advantage look to be in the driving seat for this clash, and they look set to also cover the asian handicap line too.