Sporting Kansas City have been one of the best teams in the MLS this season and this is highlighted by their position at the top of the Western Conference. This weekend they meet Atlanta United in a clash between the Western and Eastern Conference.
Sporting Kansas City have been part of the Western and Eastern Conference in their history, winning both a combined total of 5 times. They have also won the MLS Cup twice, in 2000 and 2013 and will be looking to make it 3 this season.
Atlanta United are currently 5th in the Eastern Conference with a knockout round place probably the best they can hope for this season. Having been founded in 2014, Atlanta United are still trying to establish themselves in Major League Soccer.
Sporting Kansas City Form
Sporting Kansas City have proven very difficult to beat this season and are currently on an 8-match unbeaten run.
However, while avoiding defeat has not been a problem for Peter Vermes’ team, winning games has not been so easy. Sporting Kansas City have won 3 of their last 8 MLS games, drawing 5 and no other team in the MLS has drawn more games than them this season.
At home, Sporting Kansas City are unbeaten, winning 7 and drawing 4 of their 11 home MLS games to date. There have been 3 draws from their last 4 home matches and last time out they defeated Chicago Fire 3-2 in an entertaining game.
Sporting Kansas City have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 4 home matches.
Atlanta United Form
Atlanta United have done well and are performing best of the two newcomers to the MLS. They picked up a 1-1 draw against Orlando City last week and are now unbeaten in 5 MLS games, 4 of which have been wins.
They are currently 10 points off the top spot in the Eastern Conference and while that may be out of reach this season, Atlanta United should feature in the end of season games.
Away from home Atlanta United have won their last 2 games, defeating Columbus Crew 2-0 and Orlando City 1-0. Prior to that they had won only 2 of 10 away MLS games.
Team News
Sporting Kansas City only have one concern and Ike Opara is out through injury. They should start in a 4-3-3 formation, with Soony Saad, Daniel Salloi and Graham Zusi in attack.
Atlanta United are without Jacob Peterson and Kenwyne Jones who are both injured. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, Josef Martinez is expected to lead the line with support from Yamil Asad and Miguel Almiron.
Top Betting Tips
Despite Atlanta United performing well in recent games, Sporting Kansas City have been good this season, especially at home and should be too strong for the visitors. Sporting Kansas City are 4/5 with William Hill to win the match.
Atlanta United have scored in 10 of their 12 away MLS games this season and with Sporting Kansas City failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 4 home MLS games, the visitors will be confident of getting on the score sheet. Sporting Kansas City to win and both teams to score is 13/5 at Ladbrokes.
If Atlanta United are to find the back of the net in this game, Josef Martinez is the man for the job. The Venezuelan has scored 10 goals in his last 10 games for the club and can be backed at 2/1 with Ladbrokes to score at any time.