Atlanta United II vs New York City II Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Atlanta United II host New York City II at Fifth Third Stadium on 26 July 2026 in an MLS Next Pro Group Stage clash that already has the feel of a playoff six-pointer. With both sides sitting in the Eastern Conference playoff mix, this matchup could prove pivotal in shaping the race for the MLS Next Pro postseason.

Atlanta United II come into this fixture with 30 points from 18 matches, showing a high-variance profile: nine wins, nine defeats, and no draws. New York City II are just behind on 28 points from 17 games, also with nine wins and no draws but one extra loss. With such a tight gap and both teams trending towards the playoff spots, the stakes are clear: a home win would give Atlanta breathing room, while an away result would see NYC II leapfrog their rivals with a game in hand.

The recent history between these two MLS Next Pro sides has produced drama, goals, and even penalty shootouts, making this one of the more intriguing fixtures on the Group Stage slate. Stats suggest we should again expect attacking football and little interest from either side in settling for a draw.

Atlanta United II vs New York City II Key Stats

• Atlanta United II have 30 points from 18 matches with a goal difference of +10 (38 scored, 28 conceded) in the Eastern Conference.
• The last meeting at Fifth Third Stadium on 6 June 2025 ended 3-2 in favour of New York City II in MLS Next Pro.
• Across the 2026 MLS Next Pro campaign, Atlanta United II average 2.1 goals scored and 1.7 goals conceded per match, while New York City II average 1.6 scored and 1.6 conceded.

Atlanta United II vs New York City II — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 7 vs 9 (Eastern Conference)
• Points: 30 vs 28
• Goals For: 38 vs 27
• Goals Against: 28 vs 26
• Clean Sheets: Atlanta United II 4; New York City II 3 (tournament statistics)

In the Eastern Conference table, Atlanta United II are 7th with 30 points from 18 matches, scoring 38 and conceding 28. That translates to just over two goals scored per game and a relatively solid defensive record, underpinned by four clean sheets in their 2026 MLS Next Pro statistics. Their divisional ranking is 4th in the Central Division, showing they are competitive within their subgroup.

New York City II sit 9th in the Eastern Conference with 28 points from 17 games, scoring 27 and conceding 26. They are 5th in the Northeast Division and, crucially, have a game in hand on Atlanta. Their goal difference is slimmer at +1, but their ability to grind out wins keeps them firmly in the playoff conversation. With both sides boasting nine victories and zero draws, this is a matchup between two high-risk, high-reward teams.

Atlanta United II vs New York City II Key Matchups

Atlanta United II attack vs New York City II defence

Atlanta United II’s attack has been one of the most productive in MLS Next Pro this year. Across 18 fixtures, they have scored 38 goals, averaging 2.6 at home and 1.7 away. They have produced seven matches over 2.5 team goals and have a biggest away win of 6-2, highlighting their capacity to explode offensively. Their penalty record is also notable: 12 penalties awarded, with nine converted (75%), adding another layer of threat in the final third.

New York City II’s defence has conceded 28 goals in 17 matches (1.6 per game), with slightly more vulnerability at home (1.9 conceded on average) than away (1.4). They have three clean sheets in their 2026 statistics, and their heaviest defeat, 0-5 at home, shows that when they collapse, it can be emphatic. Against an Atlanta side that attacks in waves, NYC II’s back line will need to manage transitions carefully and avoid the kind of lapses that have cost them in some high-margin losses.

New York City II attack vs Atlanta United II defence

New York City II have scored 28 goals in 17 matches, with a balanced output of 14 goals at home and 14 away. They average 1.8 goals at home and 1.6 on the road, and their biggest away win of 4-1 underlines that they can punish open games. They have converted eight of 10 penalties (80%), making them efficient from the spot.

Atlanta United II’s defence has conceded 31 goals across 18 games in the 2026 statistics, with 14 at home and 17 away. At Fifth Third Stadium they allow 1.8 goals per match on average, and their biggest home defeat is 0-2, suggesting that while they do concede, they rarely completely collapse at home. However, their goals-against under/over profile shows 10 matches over 1.5 goals conceded, indicating that New York City II should find opportunities if they sustain pressure.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

Recent meetings between Atlanta United II and New York City II in MLS Next Pro have been open and competitive, including penalty shootouts and high-scoring encounters. Home advantage has not always been decisive, and both sides have enjoyed big wins in this matchup.

• 6 June 2025: Atlanta United II 2-3 New York City II (MLS Next Pro)
• 6 September 2024: New York City II 2-2 Atlanta United II (MLS Next Pro, Atlanta United II won 4-2 on penalties)
• 3 May 2024: Atlanta United II 0-0 New York City II (MLS Next Pro, Atlanta United II won 4-2 on penalties)
• 25 June 2023: Atlanta United II 4-2 New York City II (MLS Next Pro)
• 9 April 2023: New York City II 2-0 Atlanta United II (MLS Next Pro)

Atlanta United II vs New York City II Prediction

Stats suggest a finely balanced contest with a slight edge to New York City II on the double-chance market. The prediction model assigns Atlanta United II just a 10% chance of victory, with the draw and an away win both rated at 45%. That reflects NYC II’s stronger recent form (60 in the comparison form index versus 40 for Atlanta) and a marginal advantage in overall comparison metrics.

Both teams are aggressive, with zero draws in their league standings and high goals-for averages. Atlanta’s home attack (2.6 goals per game) and New York City II’s consistent scoring (1.6 per match overall) point towards a game with multiple goals. The advice leans towards a combo bet of draw or New York City II and over 1.5 total goals, which aligns with both sides’ attacking profiles and the head-to-head history that regularly produces at least two goals.

Predicted Score: Atlanta United II 1-1 New York City II

Atlanta United II Recent Form

Atlanta United II’s recent form string in the standings reads LWWLOL, underlining their inconsistency. They are capable of putting together back-to-back wins but just as likely to follow those up with defeats. Across their last five matches in the prediction block, they have scored 10 and conceded 10, averaging 2.0 goals for and 2.0 against. Their biggest streaks in 2026 are three consecutive wins and three consecutive losses, reinforcing the boom-or-bust nature of this side.

New York City II Recent Form

New York City II arrive with a slightly stronger recent trend, with a standings form of LWWLOW. That mix shows they also fluctuate, but the prediction data rates their last five matches at 60 in the form index, with 11 goals scored and eight conceded (2.2 for, 1.6 against). Their biggest streaks are two wins or two losses in a row, suggesting they stabilise more quickly than Atlanta and are less prone to long slumps.

Atlanta United II Possible Starting Lineup

With no confirmed lineups available, a likely core group for Atlanta United II could feature:

Goalkeepers: R. Clarson; Jayden Hibbert, J. Donaldson, J. Ranson also in contention.
Defenders: D. Chica, D. Chong Qui, Mohamed Cisset, Matthew Edwards, I. Ettinger, O. Fakiseyi, T. B. Majub, M. Senanou.
Midfielders: L. Brennan, A. Browne, E. Dovlo, A. Fortune, Adrian Gill, D. Ilevbare, M. Pineda, S. Pita, William Reilly, N. Santillan, D. Sibrian, I. Suarez, A. Torres.
Forwards: Liam Butts, C. Dunbar, A. Henry, A. Jardines, A. Kovac, M. Tablante, C. Togashi, P. Weah.

Atlanta’s squad list shows depth in attacking positions, with multiple forwards and attack-minded midfielders available. That aligns with their high scoring rate and tendency to play front-foot football. Defensively, they have a broad mix of young defenders, which can contribute to variability in performances. Without specific injury information, we can expect a flexible, attack-heavy shape, likely with several forwards and advanced midfielders rotating across the front line.

New York City II Possible Starting Lineup

New York City II also have a deep and youthful squad:

Goalkeepers: R. Daoud, B. Klein, M. Learned, D. McDermott, T. Romero, A. Suarez.
Defenders: K. Acito, A. Baiera, A. Campos, Nico Cavallo, João Loiola, J. Lopez, E. Martin, Maxwell Murray, D. Randazzo, K. Smith.
Midfielders: Jacob Arroyave, M. Carrizo, D. Duque, C. Flax, D. Kerr, P. Molinari, Musu, K. Pierre, J. Ponce, S. Ramirez, J. Shore, J. Suchecki, L. Sunjic, N. Vafiades, U. Zeitz, G. de Souza.
Forwards: J. Bilden, C. Danquah, A. Farnos, H. Hvatum, M. Jones, S. Reid, E. Samb.

NYC II’s roster is balanced across all lines, with a strong midfield contingent that helps explain their solid defensive numbers and ability to control phases of play. The presence of multiple forwards suggests they can switch between systems, from a lone striker to dual forwards, depending on game state. Their away record of four wins and five losses shows they are willing to take risks on the road, which should contribute to an open contest in Kennesaw.

Atlanta United II Team News

No significant absences reported.

New York City II Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Atlanta United II:

• None reported.

New York City II:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Atlanta United II vs New York City II

Below are three betting angles based on current statistics and prediction probabilities:

• Result Tip: Double chance – Draw or New York City II. With Atlanta United II given only a 10% win probability and both the draw and away win rated at 45%, siding with New York City II not to lose looks the most logical result play. This aligns with the advice pointing to a combo of draw or NYC II.
• Goals Tip: Over 1.5 total goals. Atlanta United II’s matches feature an average of 2.1 goals scored and 1.7 conceded per game, while New York City II average 1.6 scored and 1.6 conceded. Both teams have strong over 1.5 profiles and a head-to-head history rich in goals, so backing at least two goals in the match fits the statistical pattern.
• Value Tip: Both teams to score. Atlanta United II have failed to score in only four of 18 matches, and New York City II also have just four blanks in 17 games. Given their attacking intent and comparable goals-against averages, a market centred on both sides finding the net offers appealing value, especially in a fixture where neither team tends to settle for a draw.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.