Atlanta United host their Eastern Conference foes the New England Revolution on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It will be a fortnight since the Five Stripes last stepped foot on an MLS field, with their last action taking place in Columbus on February 24. The Revolution will be playing their second game this week after completing the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup (CCC) tie on Wednesday. Read on to access an expert Atlanta United vs New England Revolution prediction and explore stats and tips for MLS betting lines.
- Atlanta United vs New England Revolution, Major League Soccer
- March 9, 2024
- 7:30 PM EST
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Season Pass
Atlanta United vs New England Prediction: Who do Sportsbooks Favor?
Atlanta are odds-on favorites at home after enjoying a couple weeks off, with an available line of (-135). New England will be traveling on the heels of their CCC duties. Looking to upset United, their bettors will enjoy a pay out of (+331) if they are successful. A draw also pays out well, currently lined at (+337).
| Major League Soccer |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta United | -135 | -135 | -135 | -135 | -135 |
| New England | +337 | +320 | +320 | +320 | +315 |
| Draw | +331 | +320 | +320 | +320 | +315 |
To better understand the 3-way moneyline (1X2) market, see our soccer betting tips and explore top MLS betting sites.
New England New Manager Off to Rocky Start
Caleb Porter, the former head coach of the Portland Timbers and Columbus, has taken over as the permanent manager for New England, succeeding Bruce Arena. Arena resigned in September last year amid allegations of "insensitive and inappropriate remarks" during his tenure as head coach of the United States national team.
Porter's domestic start has not been ideal. The club experienced a 3-1 defeat to DC United in the opening night, followed by a 1-0 loss at home to Toronto. Nevertheless, his team successfully advanced past Independiente in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and dominated Alajuelense with a 4-0 victory in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday.
MLS Replacement Referees to Continue
During the most recent negotiation session between MLS and the Professional Referees Organization (PRO), an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) could not be reached with the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA). PRO, responsible for assigning referees for MLS matches across the USA and Canada, initiated a lockout of the league's referees on February 18. Subsequently, the PSRA has been staging protests outside the offices of MLS and PRO in New York City.
As the second week of the MLS season kicks off, the lockout continues. Officials are being drawn from the youth and college ranks, as well as various tiers of the USL and MLS NEXT Pro. Notably, the referees enlisted for this round lack training at the highest MLS level. Consequently, the stance adopted by PRO and MLS is drawing widespread criticism throughout the league.
It appears a mutual agreement is becoming less and less likely. Major League Soccer executives expressed satisfaction with the performance of the match officials who substituted for those represented by the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) during the inaugural games of the regular season. Referring to internal metrics, execs stated in a memo that the performance of the replacement officials "corresponds with the professional standards observed in previous seasons, upholding consistency in officiating quality."
According to the memo, PRO intends to augment its pool of replacement officials by incorporating 17 "experienced referees." Apparently, former professional referees have expressed interest in working MLS matches and have approached PRO about potential opportunities. As a component of the transition to replacement officials, the league temporarily suspended several officiating rules that were slated to take effect this season. This includes the suspension of time limits pertaining to substitutions and in-stadium public address announcements elucidating Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions.
Atlanta vs New England Prediction and Free Betting Pick
New England was one of the best teams in the league last year. However, there are two caveats that play a role in this matchup. The Revolution are a dominant team at home, being one of, if not the, best home clubs in MLS. Their performance on the road is subpar, though, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium is certainly an intimidating atmosphere. The domed grounds and large swathes of Atlanta United supporters have made the venue a difficult one to earn points as a visiting side.
The other key factor can be found on the byline. Arena coached this New England team last year and is regarded as the best coach in MLS history. Now under the direction of Porter, we will see if the Revolution can continue their stretch of recent success. A loss in DC isn’t entirely shameful, but their second loss to Toronto at Gillette Stadium certainly is. If New England falls behind early, self-belief may falter. The club will be facing three straight losses to begin the year under their new manager.
Above all, Atlanta United are also on a massive stretch of rest. Not qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions Cup has afforded them weekdays to rest, train and recover, a luxury not available to New England. The Revolution are in the midst of their tie with LD Alajuelense. They were also scheduled in MLS last weekend as well.
All these factors combined give me believe that Atlanta should be favored close to (-200), so obviously I see considerable value here on the home side. Bet on Atlanta United to win at (-135) for a full unit.
Odds are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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