Nashville SC v Atlanta United: Alzate relishing fresh challenge

Atlanta United's new signing Steven Alzate has challenged his side to "finish the season strongly" ahead of their game away at Nashville SC at the weekend.

The hosts sit third in the Eastern Conference with 50 points from 28 matches – just four adrift of leaders Philadelphia Union, and have their eyes on a playoff campaign. 

Showcasing their attacking power in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 demolition of Orlando City last time out, Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar both netted twice, while Jeison Palacios also got himself on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, Atlanta remain second from bottom in the Eastern Conference, just two points above lowly D.C. United.

Atlanta have won just once in 14 games across all competitions, with their last win in MLS coming back in May, a 3-2 victory over Orlando City. 

Having recently signed Steven Alzate from Hull City, the Five Stripes are looking to finish the season on a high.

"The project of the club the interests of the club and having played under Ronnie Deila in Belgium, there were loads of factors that drew me to coming here," said Alzate, who has made three MLS appearances.

"So far in the training sessions, the team has seemed solid. Like I said, before I joined the club I watched a few matches. Football is about fine margins.

"We are going through a tough spell, we shouldn't be where we are. That's the situation we're in. We need to focus on finishing the season strong, whether we make the playoffs or not."

Mukhtar, who has recorded 21 goal involvements in MLS for Nashville this term, was glowing in his appraisal of his side following their victory last weekend.

"Amazing, man. Finally home after a long stretch of away games. A big win against Orlando, there's no better feeling," Mukhtar said. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashville - Sam Surridge 

Following Surridge's brace last weekend, the former Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth forward staked his claim as MLS' top scorer so far this season, overtaking Lionel Messi.

Having accumulated 23 goal involvements (20 goals and three assists) in just 28 MLS appearances, Surridge has turned in a career-best league campaign. 

Atlanta United - Emmanuel Latthe Lath

Latthe Lath has enjoyed a solid start to his career at Atlanta since securing a move to MLS from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window.

The Ivorian forward has found the net on seven occasions this term, as well as registering one assist. 

MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE WIN

Nashville extended their unbeaten streak at home across all competitions to 12 matches (with 10 wins and 2 draws) following their 5-1 win against Orlando City. They have now won their last five games at GEODIS Park, matching their second-longest home winning streak in club history, with the longest being an eight-game run from April to July 2023.

Historically, Nashville have been strong against Atlanta, losing just one of their last 11 meetings across all competitions, with five wins and five draws.

The only home defeat Nashville suffered against Saturday's visitors was in their very first MLS match back in March 2020.

Atlanta's winless streak in the regular season reached 11 games following a goalless draw with Toronto FC. This is their longest run without a victory since a 12-match stretch in 2021.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville: 59.7%

Draw: 21.1%

Atlanta: 19.2%