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[monks data]
Atlanta United
Major League Soccer
Jun 19, 2022 at 8pm UK
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Inter Miami

Atlanta
2 - 0
Inter Miami

Araujo (4'), Martinez (61')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Mota (25')
Mota (29')

Preview: Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Atlanta United and Inter Miami, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Inter Miami return to MLS action on Sunday, unbeaten in their previous four matches in all competitions when they head to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a date with Atlanta United.

The Five Stripes went into the international break without a victory in three consecutive league contests, while Miami are just a point back of Charlotte FC for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.


Match preview

Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda on the bench against CF Montréal during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 19, 2022© Reuters

Over in Atlanta, losing players has equalled losing games, and Gonzalo Pineda's men have dropped more contests (five) than many of us expected at this stage of the season.

With 13 matches in 2022, they are only three points better than they were at this exact point last year, when there was unrest within the group, leading to the dismissal of Gabriel Heinze.

So far this year the backline has been fragile, with numerous key players on the injured list, resulting in this team looking quite susceptible defensively.

They have continuously spotted their opponents an early goal, conceding six within the opening half-hour in five of their last six MLS affairs.

A 2-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew at the end of May ended a run of 13 straight domestic games without a loss for them at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Opposing sides have found tremendous success against Atlanta by sitting deep, waiting to snipe goals off them when they make defensive errors, which the Five Stripes have done a lot of this year.

Inter Miami CF forward Leonardo Campana (9) reacts after scoring a goal against the New England Revolution during the first half at DRV PNK Stadium on April 9, 2022© Reuters

Through the early portion of the season, the Herons did not look like a team ready to improve from a disappointing 2021 campaign.

Recently, Phil Neville called his side a playoff team, which was difficult to fathom before their current run when they lacked consistency and poise.

Their good form of late may justify his sentiments, but statistics do not, as they are the third-worst team in terms of expected goal differential.

Three of their next four games will be on the road, which should give us a better gauge of how good they really are, as Miami have not played an away match since May 18.

The Herons have struggled in the final third away from home, going goalless in three consecutive road fixtures, scoring no more than once each time.

Some solid positional play and finding a way to strike first has changed their fortunes, with Miami scoring the opener in three of their last four MLS games, while that other match ended in a 0-0 draw versus the Philadelphia Union.

Atlanta United Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • L

Atlanta United form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • W

Inter Miami Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • W

Inter Miami form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W


Team News

Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) (left) reacts with teammates after scoring a goal against CF Montreal during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 19, 2022© Reuters

Dom Dwyer moved into a tie for second in goals for Atlanta this year alongside Thiago Almada though his tally in injury time versus the Columbus Crew was far too late.

The list of injuries for the Five Stripes includes Dylan Castanheira (Achilles), Machop Chol (leg), Osvaldo Alonso (ACL), Brad Guzan (Achilles), Miles Robinson (Achilles), Andrew Gutman (quad), Santiago Sosa (abductor) and Caleb Wiley (lower body).

They did get some good news in their loss to the Crew as Josef Martinez returned to the field, replacing Matheus Rossetto in the second half, while Thiago Almada will not be available for this match following his red card in their last encounter.

Numerous Miami players could be out of the lineup this weekend due to undisclosed injuries, including Ian Fray, Joevin Jones, Nick Marsman, Victor Ulloa and Edison Azcona.

Leonardo Campana continues to find the back of the net, firing home his team-leading seventh of the campaign in their victory over the Portland Timbers (2-1).

Substitute Robert Taylor notched the winner in that encounter, and Christopher McVey assisted on the opening goal, his first of the year.

Neville made numerous changes to his starting 11 against the Timbers from the side who started in their U.S. Open Cup defeat to Orlando City on penalties, as DeAndre Yedlin, Ryan Sailor, Robbie Robinson, Bryce Duke, Ariel Lassiter and Campana all drew into the lineup.

Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Shuttleworth; Hernandez, Franco, DeJohn, Lennon; Hyndman, Ibarra; Araujo, Sejdic, Moreno; Martinez

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Yedlin, Lowe, Sailor, McVey; Gregore, Mota; Taylor, Duke, Lassiter; Campana


SM words green background

We say: Atlanta United 2-0 Inter Miami

Momentum would suggest that Inter Miami should win this one. However, we are going with the Five Stripes because of their solid play at home, combined with how passive the Herons have been on the road.

Josef Martinez looked good returning from injury in their previous encounter, and if he is healthy, that is a big part of their offence, which should lift their spirits tremendously.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:curl


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Game History

How you voted: Atlanta vs Inter Miami

Atlanta United
67.6%
Draw
17.6%
Inter Miami
14.7%
34
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Houston Dynamo midfielder Fafa Picault (10) celebrates his goal against the Inter Miami CF during the second half at DRV PNK Stadium on April 3, 2022
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