Preview:Philadelphia Union vs. Atlanta United - prediction, team news, lineups

In search of a third consecutive MLS victory, Philadelphia Union await the challenge of Atlanta United at the Subaru Park on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the visitors set out in search of back to back wins for the first time since June having returned to winning ways last time out.

Match preview

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Philadelphia Union secured a sixth home triumph on the bounce as they handed an emphatic 6-0 thrashing to Colorado Rapids on Sunday morning.

Daniel Gazdag led the way for Jim Curtin's men with a superb hat-trick, while Julian Carranza, Cory Burke and Matthew Real also got in on the act.

The U continue to lead the way in the Eastern Conference, five points clear of nearest challengers CF Montreal having played a game more.

Next up is the task of facing off against an opposing side who are without a victory in the most recent four meetings between the teams since 2021.

Off the back of 25 goals scored in their last five home matches, Thursday's hosts will be aiming to put on another attacking masterclass in front of their fans once again.

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Atlanta United showed great resolve to come out on top in a thrilling 3-2 contest versus DC United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday.

Gonzalo Pineda's men trailed to Ravel Morrison's opener but managed to hit back through Alan Franco only to fall behind once again to Ola Kamara's strike, after which goals from Josef Martinez and Juan Sanchez turned the game on its head.

As a result, the Five Stripes have climbed up to 11th place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind the final playoff spot heading into the final weeks of the regular season.

Currently with the second-worst record away from home in the entire conference, Thursday's visitors will need to improve their fortunes away from home to stand a good chance of making it to the postseason.

Team News

Brad Guzan and Miles Robinson are long-term absentees for Atlanta United due to knee injuries, and neither of them will feature in this one.

The away side are also set to be without the services of Osvaldo Alonso and Emerson Hyndman through injury, while Dylan Castanheira also misses out.

Josef Martinez is expected to come back into the starting lineup for this one after he came off the bench to good effect against DC United last time out.

Following his goalscoring heroics haul against Colorado Rapids, Daniel Gazdag has now scored nine goals in his last nine appearances for Philadelphia Union.

The aforementioned Gazdag is set to be joined in attack by Julian Carranza, who is also in good form, having netted nine times in 10 games heading into Thursday's clash.

Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:

Blake; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; Martinez, Bedoya, Flach; Uhre, Gazdag, Carranza

Atlanta United possible starting lineup:

Rios; Sanchez, Franco, Gutman; Lennon, Araujo, Sosa, Almada, Wiley; Sejdic, Martinez

We say: Philadelphia Union 3-1 Atlanta United

Philadelphia Union look nearly unstoppable on their own turf, and they will be expected to take control of proceedings and get the job done. We are backing them to keep the juggernaut rolling with a relatively comfortable victory in the end.

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