Atlanta United will host Santos Laguna at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday in another round of the 2024 Leagues Cup campaign. The home side kicked off their Leagues Cup campaign with an end-to-end clash against DC United last weekend, with both sides scoring three goals apiece before the Black-and-Red went on to win on penalties.
The hosts now sit second in their group with one point and must avoid defeat this weekend to advance to the knockout stages of the Leagues Cup.
Santos Laguna have struggled for results in the Liga MX this season and have not fared any better in the Leagues Cup so far. They suffered a 3-0 defeat to DC United in their group opener on Wednesday and could have no real complaints about the result after failing to fashion any noteworthy chances to get on the scoresheet.
The visitors now sit rock-bottom in Group East 7 with zero points and will advance to the knockout stages with a win in regulation time while victory on penalties will also suffice.
Atlanta United vs Santos Laguna Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Saturday's game will mark the first-ever meeting between Atlanta and Santos.
- The hosts' last meeting against Mexican opposition came back in July last year when they faced Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, losing the group-stage clash on penalties.
- The visitors have lost their last four competitive games against MLS sides.
- Atlanta are without a clean sheet in their last nine games across all competitions.
- Santos are the lowest-scoring side in Liga MX so far this season with a goal tally of just one.
Atlanta United vs Santos Laguna Prediction
Atlanta's latest result ended a run of back-to-back unbeaten outings and they will aim to bounce back here. They have won just one of their last four home games but will be hopeful of a positive result against significantly weaker opposition this weekend.
Santos are on a three-game losing streak and are without a competitive win since March. The sheer gulf in class and quality between the two teams should see the hosts come out on top here.
Prediction: Atlanta United 3-0 Santos Laguna
Atlanta United vs Santos Laguna Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Atlanta to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Over 2.5 goals (Seven of the hosts' last eight matches have produced more than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: NO (Both sides have found the back of the net in just one of the visitors' last eight matchups)