Atlanta United vs Santos Laguna Prediction: Atlanta United is likely to secure a 3-1 victory over Santos Laguna in their Leagues Cup clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Match Preview
Atlanta United will host Santos Laguna at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday in a pivotal Leagues Cup Group East 7 encounter. With both teams looking to secure advancement to the knockout stage, this match carries significant weight for their tournament aspirations.
Atlanta enters the contest with one point from their opening match, a penalty shootout loss to DC United after a thrilling 3-3 draw. Meanwhile, Santos Laguna finds themselves at the bottom of the group following a 3-0 defeat to DC United.
The Five Stripes will be eager to capitalize on their home-field advantage and secure their first-ever Leagues Cup victory. However, they face a Santos side desperate to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Atlanta United vs Santos Laguna Lineups and Formations
Predicted Lineup Atlanta United (4-2-3-1): Cohen; Lennon, Gregersen, Williams, Hernandez; McCarty, Fortune; Lobzhanidze, Slisz, Thiare; Rios
Predicted Santos Laguna Lineup (4-3-3): Acevedo; Medina, Nunez, Rodriguez, Echeverria; Mariscal, Naveda, Fagundez; Carrillo, Lozano, Sordo
Atlanta is likely to maintain their preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with Daniel Rios spearheading the attack. Santos may opt for a 4-3-3 setup to provide defensive stability while still posing an attacking threat.
Injury Updates
Atlanta United will be without defender Noah Cobb, who is away on international duty with the USA U-20 team. Edwin Mosquera has returned to training following a knee injury and could feature in the squad.
Santos Laguna continues to miss several key players. Pedro Aquino and Ronaldo Prieto are sidelined with knee problems, while Jose Juan Macias is recovering from a muscle injury. Forward Harold Preciado remains suspended due to an alleged doping violation.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch the action live on MLS Season Pass through Apple TV. The match kicks off at 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, August 4th.
Who Will Win?
Atlanta United enters this match as the slight favorite, buoyed by their home support and the attacking prowess they displayed against DC United. Santos Laguna’s recent form has been concerning, with the team winless in their last 11 matches across all competitions.
The Five Stripes’ offensive firepower, led by Daniel Rios and Saba Lobzhanidze, should prove too much for a struggling Santos defense. However, Atlanta’s own defensive vulnerabilities could lead to an entertaining, high-scoring affair.
Prediction: Atlanta United 3-1 Santos Laguna
Key Stats and Form
Atlanta United:
- Unbeaten at home in normal time since early June
- Scored 3 goals in their Leagues Cup opener
- Have never lost a Leagues Cup match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after 90 minutes
Santos Laguna:
- Winless in their last 11 matches across all competitions
- Scored only 2 goals in their last 9 games
- Conceded 3 goals in their Leagues Cup opener against DC United
Head-to-Head Record
This will be the first-ever meeting between Atlanta United and Santos Laguna in a competitive fixture.
Group Standings
- DC United: 5 points (2 games played)
- Atlanta United: 1 point (1 game played)
- Santos Laguna: 0 points (1 game played)
Latest News
Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada has been generating transfer interest from European clubs following his impressive performances. However, the Five Stripes are keen to retain their star player for their MLS and Leagues Cup campaigns.
Santos Laguna recently appointed Ignacio Ambriz as their new head coach, tasking him with turning around the team’s fortunes. This match against Atlanta will be a significant test of his ability to quickly implement changes and revitalize the squad.
As both teams aim to keep their Leagues Cup dreams alive, fans can expect an intense and closely-fought battle at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday night.
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