Sparks to fly at Red Bull Arena
New York Red Bulls to maintain their position towards the top end of the Eastern Conference when they host Atlanta United in the early hours of Friday morning.
The Red Bulls have put themselves in a commanding position under Gerhard Struber and will be all the more motivated to get back on an upward trajectory after tasting defeat in their last match, away to Los Angeles FC.
Atlanta United have not burst out of the blocks in this MLS season, and are currently sitting tenth with work to do to force their way into the play-offs.
The visitors have been a very potent attacking force in years gone by and it remains one of their main strengths, on their home patch or on their travels.
Process
There is not much between the sides on a per-game basis in the attacking third.
The hosts have scored 26 goals from 26.1 expected goals (xG) for from 17 outings at an average of 1.54 xGF per game, where Atlanta have found the net 23 times in 15 league games from 22.5 xGF, averaging 1.50 xGF per game.
Defensively, the Red Bulls are also running pretty much perfectly in line with their xGA, having conceded 19 goals from 19.6 xGA, with a healthy process of 1.15 xGA per game.
Atlanta have not been leaky by any means but the stronger defensive contingent is certainly that of the Red Bulls in this fixture.
Goals?
The Red Bulls drew a blank in their 2-0 loss at LAFC last time out, but should get it together on home turf, while Atlanta have begun reverting to type and need to continue finding the net with regularity to make up the gap between them and the top seven in the conference.
Red Bulls have scored in seven of ten.
Red Bulls have conceded in seven of ten.
Red Bulls have seen both teams score in four of ten.
Red Bulls have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
Atlanta have scored in ten of ten.
Atlanta have conceded in eight of ten.
Atlanta have seen both teams score in eight of ten.
Atlanta have seen over 2.5 goals in nine of ten.
I am expecting a fiery affair at Red Bull Arena with the visitors needing to take a positive result back with them, despite the strength of the opposition.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-2, comfortable.