Soccer match preview: Home crowd has high hopes when Atlanta United welcomes SJ Earthquakes

The hosts Atlanta United saw competitive action as recent as three days ago, playing in the Major League Soccer. At least it's nice to return home after that away game at Cincinnati.

One slightly interesting match fact is that this game is played on artificial turf and that the visiting SJ Earthquakes have a different surface at their stadium (grass). The impact of this is hard to measure exactly, but the visitors stats on artificial turf is 1-2-6 (win-draw-loss) from nine matches. SJ Earthquakes have a very long trip to this away game, as there's more than 3900 kilometers in distance to cover. This could prove a challenge, at least for the supporters.

Atlanta United form and stats

Atlanta United, who have the fewest conceded goals (36) in Major League Soccer, are steadily winning Major League Soccer games and points here at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats is the summary from 15 games.

Atlanta United are returning here after visiting Cincinnati in a Major League Soccer game and winning with a 2-0 scoreline. Ahead of that match, Atlanta United lost 1-3 at home to Columbus Crew.

The betting market estimate that the home team has about 55-60% chance of winning this match. There could be betting value if you think differently, so to help you here are the stats from Atlanta United's earlier matches at home being 55%-60% favourite: Played four games, won 3 matches, drawn 0 and lost 1.

Atlanta United are traveling soon after this match as the Major League Soccer match at New York City awaits in four days.

Goals decide football matches and Atlanta United are scoring many of them at home; 30 on target from 15 league matches. From these home matches, Atlanta United have conceded only 12 goals.

SJ Earthquakes form and stats

There's been little loot from SJ Earthquakes's travels as they have only collected 12 points from 15 away games in the Major League Soccer. SJ Earthquakes only have 3 wins to counter their 9 defeats and 3 draws. It's all red in the travel logs of SJ Earthquakes, having lost five matches in a row as the visiting team.

SJ Earthquakes play their second straight away game, having lost the previous one 1-2 to New York City (placed 1st). Prior to that match, the SJ Earthquakes manager M. Almeyda faced defeat when travelling to Real Salt Lake and losing 0-1.

As mentioned above, the odds for this match puts the home team as favourites. Perhaps this eases the pressure on the away team, who are capable of producing an upset here on a good day. Looking at earlier matches with similar odds and SJ Earthquakes playing away, we found seven games. Results were 0 away wins, 1 draw and 6 home wins.

A quick return to home after this game, as SJ Earthquakes are hosting Philadelphia Union in the Major League Soccer only four days away.

SJ Earthquakes have scored 18 goals on their travels this season, from 15 away games in the league. In the opposite end, SJ Earthquakes have conceded 29 goals in their away games.

Head 2 Head

Head-2-head stats last two meetings: 2 - 0 - 0 (Atlanta United wins - draws - SJ Earthquakes wins). As for goals, 2 matches ended with three or more goals (over 2,5), 0 had two or less.

Top Goalscorers

J. Martínez 26 goals / 2 assists

C. Wondolowski 14 goals / 2 assists

V. Qazaishvili 8 goals / 5 assists

Atlanta United missing players

SJ Earthquakes missing players