It’s a clash of Eastern Conference contenders on Wednesday as Atlanta United FC host the New England Revolution, with both teams trying to stay in touch with runaway leaders FC Cincinnati.
After stretching their unbeaten run to nine games in early May, the Revolution have since hit a rocky patch, with no wins in their last four games. Defensive wobbles were costly again over the weekend in a rollercoaster 3-3 draw with the Chicago Fire.
Atlanta United FC have had their own struggles this month, but are unbeaten in their last three games. A late equalizer from substitute Tyler Wolff helped the Five Stripes escape with a point against Orlando City on Saturday.
Let’s take a closer look at this May 31 showdown with our free Atlanta United FC vs New England Revolution picks and predictions.
Atlanta United vs New England Revolution best odds
Atlanta United vs New England Revolution picks and predictions
There’s no place like home for Atlanta, who’ve played their best soccer at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this year. They’ve won five of their seven league games there while scoring 16 goals.
I like the look of Atlanta on home soil again on Wednesday. With Georgios Giakoumakis racing to eight goals in 11 league games, and Thiago Almada chipping in with six goals and eight assists, Gonzalo Pineda’s men are a formidable attacking team. They’ll come up against a less than formidable New England defense in this spot.
The Revolution have tailed off dramatically at that end of the pitch lately, allowing eight goals in their last three games, and their away form has been patchy. New England have lost their last two games on the road, including a 3-0 setback against the Philadelphia Union this month.
With the visitors still dealing with a lengthy injury list, the path to getting a positive result looks like an uphill trek — and they’ve managed a total of two shots on target in their last two games away from Gillette Stadium.
The Atlanta moneyline is attractive in its own right, but I’m pairing it with the Over 1.5 total goals to give the MLS odds a bit more juice. After all, prior to the 1-1 draw last weekend, the hosts’ prior eight games had all served up three or more goals.
My best bet: Atlanta moneyline + Over 1.5 (+115 at bet365)
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Atlanta United vs New England Revolution side analysis
Two points separate these teams in the Eastern Conference standings — and neither will look back happily on their May performances.
But it’s easier to see the arrow pointing upwards for the hosts, who’ve taken five points from their last five games, highlighted by a 4-0 win over the Colorado Rapids. Giakoumakis is among the most prolific strikers in MLS, and this looks like a favorable matchup for Atlanta’s top scorer given the visitors’ defensive fragility.
After a solid road win in Toronto on May 6, New England have stumbled, with three losses and a draw from its past four outings. On the plus side, Bruce Arena’s side showed plenty of fight on Saturday, rallying back from 2-0 and 3-2 down, with Jozy Altidore grabbing a late leveler to peg back Chicago.
That night, it was a sloppy first half that put the Revolution on the ropes, while a sluggish second half sunk them in the loss to Philadelphia.
Atlanta United vs New England Revolution Over/Under analysis
Neither of these teams is built to sit back and soak up pressure. Atlanta FC are the joint top scorers in MLS (29), but they’re also tied for the most goals against (25). That sums up the hosts’ year so far — and it hints at plenty of scoring chances on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Revolution have lost some of their defensive stability from earlier in the season — New England’s last three games have all featured three or more goals. Veteran Carles Gil came off the bench at the weekend, but the visitors seem to be at their most dangerous when he’s pulling the strings behind the strikers, and he could provide the spark to get Giacomo Vrioni out of his slump.
Though New England have largely had the upper hand in this matchup in recent years, winning three of the last four clashes, these teams delivered a 2-2 scoreline at Mercedes-Benz Stadium last year. I expect a similar end-to-end battle here. The BTTS prop is worth a look, but the odds for Over 2.5 total goals offer even more value.
Atlanta United vs New England Revolution game info
| Location: | Mercedez-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
| Date: | Wednesday, May 31, 2023 |
| Time: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FuboTV |
Atlanta United vs New England Revolution key injuries
Atlanta United: Erik Lopez F (Out), Osvaldo Alonso M (Out), Amar Sejdic M (Out).
New England Revolution: Gustavo Bou F (Out), Maciel M (Out), Dylan Borrero M (Out), Nacho Gil M (Out), Henry Kessler D (Out), Tommy McNamara M (Out).
Atlanta United vs New England Revolution weather
It’s set to be a hot, humid night in Atlanta on Wednesday. Temperatures will be in the high 70s, testing both sets of players in this quick turnaround after the weekend’s action.
