Our prediction for this MLS match:
Atlanta United
Match Time & Date:
24/07/2021
21:30
Prediction: 2-1
Columbus Crew
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host Saturday’s football game between Atlanta United and Columbus Crew, the two teams who shared the spoils with Nashville and Cincinnati respectively in midweek. The Five Stripes aim to put an end to their ten-game winless run, and they should take advantage of the absentees in the away team. Defenders George Bello and Miles Robinson, and goalkeeper Brad Guzan are on international duty with USA, while midfielder Emerson Hyndman is out of contention through injury.
Columbus, on the other hand, head into the match with a severely-weakened squad as all Etienne, Fraser, Molino, Morris, Valenzuela, Williams, and key attacker Zardes are out of contention. Since the Five Stripes are desperate to return to winning ways in the Major League Soccer, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the home team.
Highlighted Player (Josef Martinez):
Josef Martinez started his senior career at Caracas, but he made no more than 36 league appearances for the Venezuelan outfit from 2010 to 2012. Martinez then moved to Europe and the 170-cm tall striker scored 4 goals in 34 appearances for the capital club. In the 2013/2014 season he played for fellow Swiss outfit Thun (on loan) and on June 7, 2014 he signed a contract with Serie A team Torino.
In December, 2017 Josef Martinez scored his first ever goal in the Italian top flight in a 2-2 draw with Palermo. The Venezuela international currently plays (on loan) for Atlanta United in MLS and he made his debut for Gerardo Martino’s team against New York Red Bulls. Speaking of his international career, Martinez made his Venezuela debut against El Salvador, coming from the bench after 76 minutes.
On November 10, 2016 he scored a hat-trick for La Vinotinto in a thrilling 5-0 victory over Bolivia and it has to be noted that he has four caps (two goals) for Venezuela U20 team.
Highlighted Team (Columbus Crew):
Columbus Crew are an American soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio. The Black & Gold participate in the Eastern Conference and in 2008 they won both the conference and the MLS CUP final. Columbus Crew defeated New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup final, with the likes of Moreno, Marshall and Hejduk scoring for the Black & Gold in the title game.
The club welcome their rivals at Mapfre Stadium, the venue which was opened on May, 15 1999. The current capacity of the stadium is 19.968 and it has to be noted that Mapfre Stadium is the first soccer-specific venue ever built for a MLS club.
A number of high-profile players were part of Columbus Crew in the past, but Guillermo Barros Schelotto is the most famous footballer that wore the black and yellow shirt. Schelotto played for Columbus Crew from 2007 to 2010 and during his spell with the Mapfre Stadium outfit the Black & Gold won the aforementioned MLS Cup.
