Atlanta United head coach Ronny Deila is targeting a big improvement ahead of their home game against Nashville SC this weekend.

Atlanta come into the match having lost three straight in MLS, including back-to-back 3-0 defeats on the road. Their most recent loss came away to Orlando City, which leaves them fourth-bottom of the Eastern Conference on nine points from 10 games.

"It’s not as good as we can be; we have shown that earlier in the season," Deila said.

"I think the bottom is reached in a way. Now it's about how we can turn this around. Then we learn more about ourselves and about each other as a group. Then we will come stronger from it. That I'm sure."

Following that, then, is the daunting prospect of facing a Nashville side who travel to Atlanta on the back of a 7-2 victory at home to the Chicago Fire last weekend.

Asked if it was a must-win game, Deila would not be drawn.

"We want to win. Everybody wants to win. I'm sure Nashville wants to win as well," he said, as quoted in The Atlanta Voice.

"It's more about how we can perform. How we can get the best out of each other.

"We know we can beat Nashville, but our focus has to be on ourselves."

Midfielder Aleksey Miranchuk was in agreement with his manager ahead of the visit from Nashville.

The Russian has scored one goal so far in MLS this season and is keen on him and his team-mates remaining positive throughout this difficult period.

"It's a tough situation, a different situation for all of us. We have to find some way to stay positive," he said.

"Especially in this tough situation. You understand who you are, and you have to figure it out together."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Atlanta United – Emmanuel Latte Lath

Emmanuel Latte Lath is Atlanta's top scorer with five goals in MLS so far this season, at least three more than any other player in the squad.

Of the striker's league goals, four have come at home.

Nashville – Sam Surridge

Sam Surridge scored four of Nashville SC's seven goals on Saturday, netting all of them by the 57th minute.

Surridge is the second player in MLS history to score four goals before the hour mark in an MLS match after Abdul Conteh for D.C. United against New England in May 2001 (48 minutes).

MATCH PREDICTION: ATLANTA UNITED WIN

Atlanta United won each of their first two meetings with Nashville SC, in March and August 2020.

Despite a disappointing start to the season, the hosts have only lost two matches out of six at home in MLS this season.

Both of Atlanta's league victories this season have come at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Nashville, meanwhile, come into this match having lost three of their four away games in MLS during the 2025 campaign.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 48.7%

Draw – 25.7%

Nashville – 25.6%