Preview:Colorado Rapids vs. Los Angeles FC - prediction, team news, lineups

Off the back of contrasting results last time out, Colorado Rapids and Los Angeles FC will do battle at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday.

The hosts saw their three-game unbeaten streak come to an end, while the visitors snapped a three-game winless run with a resounding triumph.

Match preview

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Colorado Rapids were on the receiving end of a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Houston Dynamo in Sunday's meeting between the sides.

Chris Armas's men looked set to come away with a point from a nervy affair before Bradley Smith struck in second-half stoppage time to put them to the sword.

As a result, the Pids have dropped down to 10th in the Western Conference of the MLS table, one point shy of Sporting Kansas City in the race for playoff contention.

Lying in store is the challenge of an opposing outfit who ran out emphatic 4-0 winners in the most recent edition of this fixture back in August.

Having come out on top in just one of six home matches heading into this weekend's affair, Saturday's hosts will need to turn things around in front of their fans.

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Los Angeles FC had too much quality on display for Nashville SC as they cruised to a commanding 5-0 victory at the BMO Stadium on Sunday.

Goals from Timothy Tillman and Denis Bouanga put Steve Cherundolo's men in the driving seat after which the latter, Cristian Olivera and Eduard Atuesta netted in the second half to add gloss to the scoreline.

With seven points amassed from five matches so far, the Black and Gold sit sixth in the standings, albeit just three points shy of division leaders Minnesota United.

Currently on a run of four losses from their last five matches on the road, Saturday's visitors have it all to do in their quest to avoid another fruitless outing away from home.

Team News

Colorado's Daniel Chacon remains without an appearance since late September due to a knee problem, while Connor Roman prepares to miss a third straight game with a muscle problem.

The home side will also be without the services of midfielder Jasper Loffelsend who is, however, closing in on a return to first-team action.

Nineteen-year-old Lorenzo Dellavalle still awaits his official debut for Los Angeles since joining from Juventus last summer as he continues to battle with injury.

Tomas Angel is ruled out of this weekend's clash for the visitors having suffered a torn muscle just 15 minutes after coming on for his first outing.

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup: Steffen; Vines, Maxso, Bombito, Rosenberry; Bassett, Larraz; Yapi, Mihailovic, Fernandez; Navarro

Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup: Lloris; Palencia, Murillo, Long, Hollingshead; Tillman, Sanchez, Atuesta; Bogusz, Olivera, Bouanga

We say: Colorado Rapids 1-2 Los Angeles FC

Both teams have blown and cold this term, and Saturday's encounter could easily head either way. That said, we just about fancy the away side to emerge triumphant in the end.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.