Two sides separated by four points in the battle for playoff places in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference will square off on Saturday, as Charlotte FC entertain Columbus Crew.
The visitors currently sit sixth, four points better off than their opponents who sit just outside of the top seven after 22 league outings.
Match preview
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Charlotte FC's MLS season thus far has largely been defined by inconsistency, as their tally of eight league wins is only bettered by the top four teams in their Conference, while no side in the Eastern division have suffered more than their 12 defeats.
After a draw and consecutive defeats left them on 22 points from 18 games, the Crown, under the management of Christian Lattanzio following Miguel Angel Ramirez's departure at the end of May, made a return to winning ways against Houston Dynamo and would make it two on the bounce as Christian Fuchs, Karol Swiderski, Sergio Ruiz and Andre Shinyashiki got on the scoresheet in a 4-1 beating of Nashville SC.
Hoping to build on those triumphs and establish themselves in the top seven, Charlotte took on Inter Miami, but they were eventually beaten 3-2 following Emerson Rodriguez's 93rd-minute winner for their hosts, and, despite beating Chelsea on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in a friendly contest, the Crown were unable to correct their league form against Toronto last time out.
Goals from Jonathan Osorio and Michael Bradley saw the Canadian outfit establish a 2-0 lead inside 10 minutes, and a Federico Bernardeschi finish and a second from Bradley on the stroke of half time would see their hosts cruise to a 4-0 win.
Having now dropped outside of the top seven, Lattanzio's men will be keen to return to winning ways at the weekend with the chance to leapfrog FC Cincinnati and cut the gap to their opponents to just a single point.
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Their visitors, meanwhile, will arrive hoping to strengthen their position in the top seven and extend an unbeaten run to 10 league matches.
With just 13 points from 13 league outings, Columbus Crew did not look set for a strong season, but they have since put together an impressive run without suffering any further defeats, winning four and drawing five of their last nine contests.
Wins over Toronto and Chicago Fire were each followed by draws, before Caleb Porter's side posted their most recent triumph at home to FC Cincinnati in mid-July, as Cucho Hernandez and Lucas Zelarayan got on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory.
Hoping to make it two three-point hauls on the bounce, the Crew took on New England Revolution last time out, but they had to settle for a point as neither side were able to break the deadlock.
Nonetheless, Porter's men have put themselves in a strong position in the playoff race thanks to their improved form, now sitting sixth, level on points with fifth-placed Orlando City and four ahead of their eight-placed opponents, and they will hope to further boost their chances of a top-seven finish with a win over one of the chasing pack at the weekend.
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Team News
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Charlotte FC head into Saturday's game without captain and key defender Christian Fuchs, who will serve a suspension after he was sent off in their heavy defeat to Toronto.
Following that concerning result, several other changes are expected, with the likes of Sergio Ruiz, Jaylin Lindsey and Jan Sobocinski set to be given chances from the outset.
Striker Karol Swiderski and winger Andre Shinyashiki remain key men going forward, having each hit five league goals so far this season, while Kamil Jozwiak is also expected to keep his place.
The Columbus Crew line will be led by new signing Cucho Hernandez, who has already hit four goals in four league appearances following his switch from Watford, with last week's goalless draw against New England Revolution his first game without hitting the net for the Crew.
He will have support from star man Lucas Zelarayan, who has contributed five goals and five assists in his 17 MLS appearances so far this campaign.
Further back, in the absence of Artur due to injury, Aidan Morris should again partner Darlington Nagbe at the base of midfield.
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Lindsey, Sobocinski, Corujo, Mora; Shinyashiki, Bronico, Ruiz, Reyna; Jozwiak, Swiderski
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Room; Hairston, Jonathan, Williams, Santos; Nagbe, Morris; Etienne, Zelarayan, Diaz; Hernandez
We say: Charlotte FC 1-2 Columbus Crew
While Charlotte FC have shown themselves to have quality on their day, the Crown have struggled for consistency, and they could be outclassed by a Columbus Crew side playing with confidence.
The signing of Cucho Hernandez has added another dimension to an already-dangerous Crew attack, and the visitors will likely punish any mistakes made by their opponents.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Sam Varley
