Atlanta United vs. Orlando City: prediction, projected lineups, how to watch | OneFootball

Fierce rivals provide one of the most intriguing matches of midweek Matchday 16 action on Wednesday night when Atlanta United hosts Orlando City. Here's everything you need to know about the Eastern Conference clash.

How to watch Atlanta United vs. Orlando City

Time: Wednesday, May 28, 7:30 pm ET

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Tickets: Click here

TV & streaming: MLS Season Pass

Atlanta United vs. Orlando City projected lineups

Midweek dates always bring the potential for rotation, but that exits to a far greater degree within Orlando's ranks than in Atlanta's.

The hosts' 4-2 win over FC Cincinnati on Sunday was desperately needed, snapping an eight-match winless run against one of the league's best sides.

Having finally unearthed a strong performance from a group of which much was expected, first-year manager Ronny Deila won't want to fiddle much with the squad dynamics.

Meanwhile, Orlando will be playing its eighth match of the month in all competitions on account of their run to the U.S. Open Cup round of 16. That competition is over for them now, but the impact isn't. On Saturday, it was Duncan McGuire scoring in just his third league start in part as a result of squad rotation related to that Open Cup effort. Orlando defeated Portland 1-0.

Projected Atlanta United lineup (3-5-2, right to left)

Brad Guzan (GK) - Matthew Edwards, Derrick Williams, Luis Abram - Saba Lobjanidze, Aleksey Miranchuk, Bartosz Slisz, Ajani Fortune, Pedro Amador - Miguel Almiron, Emmanuel Latte Lath

Projected Orlando City lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)

Pero Gallese (GK) - Alex Freeman, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo - Cesar Araujo, Joran Gorbet - Marco Pasalic, Martin Ojeda, Ivan Angulo - Luis Muriel

Player status report

Atlanta United: Josh Cohen - adductor (out), Stian Gregersen - quadriceps (out), Tristan Muyumba - knee (out), Brooks Lennon - hamstring (questionable). Orlando City: Nico Rodríguez - thigh (out), Gustavo Caraballo - lower leg (questionable).

Atlanta United vs. Orlando City prediction

Declaring one win a turning point can be a dangerous game. And it's burned Atlanta United fans more than most over the past several seasons.

But the consistent increase in chances generated since Deila's switch to a back five several games ago is a real thing.

Additionally, Orlando just looks tired from a very demanding month. The Lions may have held on for a 1-0 home win over Portland on the weekend, but they looked weary doing so at times in the second half. That's generally not something that happens to them.

So even if this isn't the start of some long-term Atlanta surge, it's probably a good spot for them. Back-to-back wins by multiple goals are not out of the realm of possibility.