Atlanta United vs New York RB
12 July 0100hrs
Football – USA – MLS
Pick Atlanta United
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 23/20 odds taken 2000 GMT, Friday 10 July
The MLS is Back competition continues this weekend with 2018 MLS champions Atalanta United taking on New York RB in the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando Florida.
Table of Contents
Atlanta United Preview – Can Atalanta kick start the group stage with a victory?
Atlanta went so close to retaining their MLS Cup won in 2018, only losing out in the final last year to Toronto. Despite being one of the newer clubs in the MLS, Atlanta have had a instant impact and are now established as one of the best in the competition. Frank De Boer will have been desperate to lead his team back to the final game this time around and will be eagerly awaiting the resumption.
Before that, the MLS is Back tournament is another opportunity for United to add another trophy in their short history.
Atlanta’s start to the MLS back in March was typically strong winning their first two games. A 2-1 win over expansion side Nashville was followed by a home victory against Cincinnati. De Boer’s men have also started their continental campaign but they lost heavily to Mexican side American in the CONCACAF Champions League – that remains their last competitive game.
Josef Martinez will continue to be a hugely influential play for Atalanta this season with proposed moves not coming to fruition. The Venezuelan striker has scored 63 goals in his last two MLS campaigns and is supremely talented. How long he remains in the MLS is unknown but as long as he plays for Atalanta they are likely to be a challenger. He will miss this tournament due to injury but should be back for the real thing.
New York RB Preview – Will New York continue what has been an unbeaten start to their 2020 campaign?
New York RB made it through to the playoffs last season but were eliminated at the first stage in an incredible game against Philadelphia Union. Despite being 3-1 up in the first half, the Red Bulls went on to lose 4-3 after extra-time. It’s always a test to see how teams bounce back after such a disappointment but New York did start the 2020 season in determined fashion.
They also get the better of Cincinnati in the opening round before a hard-earned draw in Utah against Real Salt Lake.
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Alejandro Romero is New York’s only signed designated player at the moment which means even more pressure on the Paraguayan international to perform. He has been excellent in his time in Rochester, however, and is the team’s main creator. Where New York will have to improve is in the striker department following Bradley Wright Phillip’s departure. Wright-Phillips scored 126 goals for the club before moving to Los Angeles at the start of the year.
Tom Barlow and Brian White have came through the ranks at the club. Neither has yet to prove they are reliable at this level to find the goals they need in order to be successful. This tournament could act as a springboard for one or both of them.
Atlanta United vs New York RB Betting Advice
These two teams are around joint favourites to win this section. They can qualify if they finish in the top two positions. It means that if there is a winner in this game, however, they stand a great chance of topping the group.
New York were unbeaten in both games against Atlanta last season as they took four points from their Easter Conference rivals.
Key Facts – Atlanta United vs New York RB Betting Tip
- Atlanta won their first two games of the MLS season, both by a 2-1 scoreline
- New York RB’s last game was a 1-1 draw away to Real Salt Lake
- The team’s met twice last season with New York RB winning one and the other ending in a draw
It’s hard to know how either team will come back from the break. I’m inclined to side with Atlanta, though, due to the fact they just have a lot more threat and potential goals in their side. They may not have beaten New York last season but they can get off to a winning start in this tournament.
