Atlanta United welcome New York City FC to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on the final day of the MLS season this Sunday.
The home side sit in 11th, unable to make the playoffs, whereas New York City know a draw will likely cement their place in third ahead of local rivals New York Red Bulls.
Match preview
Atlanta go into this game on the back of a 2-1 defeat away to New England, where Josef Martinez's late equaliser was almost enough to leave the Gillette Stadium with a point, until a late Gustavo Bou goal proved otherwise.
It has been a disappointing season for Atlanta, who are 11th in the MLS and could possibly end the season 12th if other results go against them.
On the other hand, the carrot being dangled for Gonzalo Pineda's men is the potential to finish as high as ninth if they can defeat New York City on Sunday.
Atlanta are a different proposition at home though, with eight of their 10 wins in the MLS coming at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season.
Josef Martinez is their top scorer with nine goals in 25 appearances in the league, and the striker will be looking to hit double figures in the final game of the season.
Meanwhile, New York City FC have had a fantastic season in comparison to their opponents on Sunday, as Nick Cushing's side sit in third and won the Campeones Cup against Atlas in September.
New York City come into this one on a three-game winning run, which includes the Campeones Cup victory as well as a 2-0 home win against local rivals New York Red Bulls.
Last time out they beat Orlando City 2-1 at Yankee Stadium, where goals from Alexander Callens and Talles Magno completed a second-half comeback after a Facundo Torres opener.
The Pigeons know that they will feature in the playoffs no matter what the result, but they will want to finish the season above New York Red Bulls. With a two-point gap to their rivals and their goal difference being eight greater, a draw would surely be enough to cement third in the table.
The last time New York City met Atlanta, the game finished 2-2 and with Atlanta having home advantage this time around, this will not be a cake walk for Cushing's side.
Team News
Atlanta go into this game with a number of injury concerns and could be without as many as six players for this final-day clash.
Goalkeepers Dylan Castanheira and Brad Guzan are both out for the home side, along with Osvaldo Alonso, Miles Robinson and Emerson Hyndman.
The main selection headache for Pineda comes in attack where he has to choose between Josef Martinez or Ronaldo Cisneros, as he is unlikely to start both.
For New York City, Uruguayan midfielder Santiago Rodriguez returns from the suspension which he served in the victory over Orlando.
Elsewhere, Alfredo Morales is expected to miss the trip to Atlanta due to injuries, but Keaton Parks will be pushing for a start, having recovered from injury to make the bench last time out.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Gudino; Hernandez, Sanchez, Franco, Gutman; Sosa, Sejdic, Almada; Lennon, Araujo; Martinez
New York City FC possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Gray, Martins, Chanot, Callens; Acevedo, Moralez; Pereira, Rodriguez, O'Toole; Magno
We say: Atlanta United 1-2 New York City FC
Although Atlanta are a strong proposition at home, they have little to play for in their final game, whereas New York City have the motivation of finishing above their local rivals.
Recent form and the fact that the away side will still be on a high following recent cup glory just gives them the edge here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
