DC United v Atlanta United: MLS betting preview, tips & TV details

Sky Sports Football / Mix / Main Event 11pm Sunday

Entering an MLS campaign with a feeling of expectation is a new experience for defending champions Atlanta United and a trip to Audi Park will put their title credentials under the microscope.

A lot has changed for the 2018 MLS Cup victors, who have replaced Mexico-bound Gerardo Martino with Dutch legend Frank de Boer in the dugout and lost key creative outlet Miguel Almiron to Newcastle.

DC United, meanwhile, were primed to finish rock-bottom after a poor start to last campaign. But after moving to their new multi-purpose stadium and snapping up Wayne Rooney in June, they landed an unexpected knockout-phase berth.

The Washington-based outfit concluded the season with a string of fixtures in their own backyard, winning 12 of their 15 matches at home from July 14 onwards.

They will fancy their chances of causing an early-season upset but the loss of Darren Mattocks, who notched nine goals in 20 matches last term, is a blow to their front line.

Bookmakers clearly do not feel Atlanta, who won 21 of their 34 regular-season fixtures, are as weakened as they may appear though.

The Five Stripes have retained last season's MLS top scorer Josef Martinez, reinforced their attack with the addition of River Plate forward Pity Martinez and are still as short as 11-2 for the title.

They can prove their doubters wrong and kick-start their MLS Cup defence with maximum points.

Recommendation
Atlanta United
1pt 9-5 bet365

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport