Exciting Atlanta set to double the dose on toiling Orlando

MLS Sky Sports Football, 9.30pm Saturday

Atlanta won 1-0 away to Orlando City eight days ago, lifting them to fourth in the Eastern Conference, and they can complete a quickfire double by defeating the same opposition at the Bobby Dodd Stadium.

It can be tough for a new franchise to adapt to MLS life but Atlanta are bucking the trend and emerging as genuine contenders.

Their success is in stark contrast to the league's only other new franchise, Minnesota United, who are propping up the Western Conference.

Atalanta have not spent a fortune on star players but they appointed a top-class manager in Gerardo Martino, who has coached Barcelona and the Argentina national team within the last four years.

Martino needed time to get his ideas across but Atlanta's fortunes have taken off since the middle of June with five wins in six league games.

They are the joint-highest scorers in the MLS with 40 goals in 20 matches and have the potential to make an even bigger impact in the remaining three months of the regular season.

Nine of their last 14 games are at the Bobby Dodd Stadium and they have been strong on home turf, winning six of eight league fixtures.

They have been less convincing on the road but triumphed in Orlando last Friday with a goal from Argentinian forward Hector Villalba, his ninth of the season and third in three appearances.

Villalba should fancy his chances of continuing the hot streak because Orlando are on the slide, winning just two of their last 14 matches.

They led the Eastern Conference in the early stages of the season but have slipped to seventh, four points below Atlanta, and their struggles are set to continue.

Recommendation
Atlanta
1pt 8-13 Coral