Preview: Atlanta United vs. CF Montreal - prediction, team news, lineups

CF Montreal will be looking to end their run of four consecutive MLS matches when they journey to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face Atlanta United on Saturday night.

The Five Stripes are currently unbeaten in each of their last five home games against Hernan Losada's men and will head into the weekend looking to extend this impressive run.

Match preview

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Atlanta United continued to drop points in their quest for post-season football as they were held to a 1-1 draw by DC United when the sides met at Audi Field on Wednesday evening.

Despite majorly being on the back foot, Atlanta were in the lead for most of the game thanks to Saba Lobjanidze's 14th-minute strike before Gabriel Pirani restored parity with 10 minutes to go.

Atlanta United have now failed to win three of their last four matches — losing once and picking up two draws — with a 5-2 hammering of Inter Miami on September 16 being the exception.

For all their recent struggles, Gonzalo Pineda's side are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference table with 46 points from 30 matches and could rise into third place with a win on Sunday.

Like this weekend's hosts, CF Montreal were left spitting feathers on Wednesday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Cincinnati when the sides squared off at the Saputo Stadium.

Following a goalless first half, the game sparked into life when Kwadwo Opoku scored against the run of play to put the hosts in front but Luciano Acosta converted his 97th-minute penalty to hand Cincinnati a share of the spoils.

Montreal have now gone four consecutive matches without a win, collecting just two points from a possible 12 since picking up back-to-back victories over Toronto and New England Revolution in August.

With 37 points from 29 matches, Losada's men are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference standings, only three points above 10th-placed New York City FC just outside the playoff qualifier places, albeit with one game in hand.

While Montreal will be looking to arrest their slump and resume their push for an automatic playoff spot, they have struggled for results on the road, where they have failed to win eight of their last nine matches, losing six and picking up two draws since May.

Team News

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Atlanta United will take to the pitch without veteran midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, who has been out of action since picking up an ACL injury against DC United on April 3.

He is joined on the Five Stripes injury table by Senegalese forward Jamal Thiare, who has continued his lengthy spell on the sidelines since sustaining an injury in May.

Thiago Almada has been a standout performer in MLS this season and the Argentine forward, who boasts 22 goal involvements so far, will be one to look out for.

CF Montreal will be without the defensive duo of 26-year-old Aaron Herrera and Robert Orri Thorkelsson, who are currently recuperating from ankle and groin injuries respectively.

Canadian forward Jules-Anthony Vilsaint missed the game against FC Cincinnati after suffering an ankle injury versus Chicago Fire last weekend and will play no part in Sunday's tie.

Atlanta United possible starting lineup:

Guzan; Lennon, Robinson, Abram, Wiley; Muyumba, Fortune; Wolff, Almada, Lobzhanidze Giakoumakis

CF Montreal possible starting lineup:

Sirois; Campbell, Waterman, Corbo; Opoku, Wanyama, Duke, Saliba, Choiniere; Lassiter, Toye

We say: Atlanta United 2-1 CF Montreal

Atlanta United and Montreal dropped points in their last outings and will head into the weekend in search of a morale-boosting result. The Five Stripes' home record in this fixture makes them firm favourites to come out on top and are tipping them to edge out Losada's side once again.

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