MLS betting tips: Back stingy Nashville defence to deny Atlanta United top spot
- George Dempsey
- 29 April 2023
Nashville SC will hope the absence of Giorgios Giakoumakis will make Atlanta United less of a threat when the two meet in Saturday evening's MLS clash.
Nashville Soccer Club and Atlanta United will meet in the earliest of Major League Soccer's Saturday fixtures, live on Apple TV at 6:30pm.
Suggested betting tips
Recent form
The hosts have made an inconsistent start to the season, winning three, drawing three and losing three of their first nine matches. Though a common theme is they've been extremely hard to break down.
Nashville have been as miserly in attack as they have been ungenerous in defence. A return to their 2021 season form means they once again look like a prime Nuno Espirito Santo Wolves side.
NSC have found the net eight times so far this season, the lowest tally of any side outside the bottom three, and have allowed just five goals, the lowest number in Major League Soccer.
Atlanta United have fared a little bit better, although they've yet to get things going on their travels. They've won one of their first four away matches and just two of their last 14.
United are a young, exciting and attacking team. Thiago Almada is the man pulling the strings this season, a player who can be compared to Atlanta's last big product, Miguel Almiron.
The Five Stripes are the polar opposite of Nashville. They've scored 18 goals in nine matches and have yet to be shut out this season. They've also conceded 13 goals. Last month, they followed up a 5-1 home win over Portland with a 6-1 defeat away to Columbus.
Nashville vs Atlanta verdict
Elements of Tata Martino's style, an ideology shaped by Marcelo Bielsa, are still evident in Atlanta's play.
No side dominated the ball better than Atlanta last season and with the addition of Giorgios Giakoumakis from Celtic, Atlanta have a new focal point that allows them to be more dynamic in attack.
His absence for this match is a shame as the battle with Walker Zimmerman would have been a good one to watch. It may also make Atlanta less of a goal threat on the night.
Englishman Gary Smith does tinker with his formation and line-up, but the midfield diamond used against LAFC last week worked well. Dax McCarty was able to get on the ball and dictate the play.
One of the issues Nashville are facing at home is that they're struggling to turn possession into chances with teams looking to stay compact. Atlanta don't usually consider that an option, so they could get some more joy on Saturday.
The visitors could opt for Miguel Berry up top. Whilst his physical presence will keep Nashville on their toes, he's not scored in seven appearances this season, or his last 21 overall.
If Smith's men can crowd the defensive third and limit Thiago Almada's influence, then Atlanta might not have a lot to offer. They'll probably dominate the ball and still need to find a way through themselves, so don't expect a high-scoring game.
