FC Cincinnati vs. Atlanta United August 13 Betting Odds & Analysis

Coming off the biggest win in their short franchise history, FC Cincinnati stays home to take on Atlanta United this weekend. 

The Orange and Blue thrashed first-place Philadelphia Union 3-1 on Saturday, the largest defeat and the most goals against the Eastern Conference leaders this season. That win came in front of another home crowd of more than 23,000 fans and moved FCC into sixth place in the conference.  

Saturday’s kickoff at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, streaming on ESPN+ and airing in Cincinnati on STAR 64. Cincinnati has just one win in nine MLS games against Atlanta United and they’ve been outscored by the Five Stripes 14-5. The lone win came in the MLS is Back Tournament group stage in Orlando two summers ago and Atlanta has two wins and a draw in three trips to Cincinnati.

FC Cincinnati Keep On Scoring

After a scoreless first half last week, FC Cincinnati put three past the Union in a 21 minute span in the second half. Brandon Vazquez, Brenner and Alvaro Barreal each scored before the Union got a consolation goal in the 77th minute. Luciano Acosta and Barreal added assists as FCC put 13 shots against the top defense in the league.

The Orange and Blue have scored seven goals in the last two games and have at least two goals in five of the last eight games. Vazquez ranks second in MLS with 14 goals and has added four assists. Brenner has eight goals and four assists while Acosta has six goals and eight assists.

Since Acosta has returned from red-card suspension, FCC has seven goals in two games and the All-Star has provided three assists. Brenner and Vazquez have formed one of the best scoring duos in the MLS in the last 10 games.

The defense still needs some work, though they have to be gaining confidence with the effort against the Union. Adding transfer Matt Miazga from Chelsea should help. The USMNT defender should help fix the Orange and Blue defense as he takes over one of the center back positions. He established himself as a great young player on New York Red Bulls before going to Europe in 2016 and his debut could come this weekend.

Nick Hagglund has started 21 games in defense this season while Geoff Cameron has started 16 times. The other two defensive spots have been a revolving door with Alvas Powell, Ian Murphy, Tyler Blackett and John Nelson all getting chances. 

Goalkeeper Roman Celentano has 46 saves in 17 starts with 29 goals allowed. The 21-year old old has started 17 straight MLS games with six wins and seven draws, but only three clean sheets.  

Atlanta United Working Through Injuries

Perhaps no team in MLS has dealt with more injuries at key spots this season than Atlanta United. They lost USMNT center back Miles Robinson and starting goalkeeper Brad Guzan to Achilles injuries early in the season as the two combined for just 15 starts this season. Osvaldo Alonso, Brooks Lennon and Emerson Hyndman were also counted on for big minutes this season but have missed a combined 36 games. 

Still, Atlanta United has two wins and two draws from the last five games to keep their playoff hopes alive. With 28 points and 11 games left, they are just four points behind FC Cincinnati and only two points out of a playoff spot.

Last Saturday’s home win drew 68,586 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, their largest of three crowds over 67,000 this season. Ronaldo Cisneros scored the opener and Anrew Gutman won the game in stoppage time with a thunderous strike. The bad news was losing defensive midfielder Matheus Rosetto to an ankle injury in the first half and he will miss the trip to Cincinnati. 

Cisneros leads the team with seven goals while Josef Martinez has five. Thiago Almada leads the team with five assists. Rocco Rios Novo has allowed 14 goals in 10 starts since taking over the top goalkeeper duties and he has two clean sheets. 

FC Cincinnati vs. Atlanta United Betting Analysis

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FC Cincinnati (+120) moneyline

Atlanta United (+190) moneyline

Draw (+260)

Total Goals: 2.5. Over (-155). Under (+120).

Atlanta is not a team with a lot of firepower and they were shutout in two of the last three games. If FC Cincinnati can score first and get the crowd into the game, they can use confidence and pressure to take all three points from Atlanta and continue their playoff push.