Preview:Columbus Crew vs. DC United - prediction, team news, lineups

Looking to draw level on points with their hosts, DC United travel to the Mapfre Stadium to battle against Columbus Crew on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Columbus Crew will be aiming to preserve their unbeaten streak on home turf this term, which currently stands at seven matches.

Match preview

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Columbus Crew tasted defeat for the first time in seven matches on Saturday following a 4-1 defeat versus New York City FC at the Yankee Stadium.

Valentin Castellanos, Thiago Andrade, Keaton Parks and Santiago Rodriguez all got on the scoresheet before Pedro Santos netted an injury-time consolation goal for his side.

Luckily for Caleb Porter's men, none of the teams around them was able to take advantage of their slip-up, so they remain sixth in the Eastern Conference.

The defending champions now seek to bounce back against an opponent who have come out on top in four of the last five meetings between the sides.

However, Thursday's hosts have the overall edge in previous fixtures, having picked up 19 wins from 34 clashes compared to the visitors tally of 11.

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DC United failed to win away from home for the fifth game running as they were held to a 0-0 stalemate by FC Cincinnati on Sunday.

Hernan Losada's men had their back against the wall for the majority of the contest but held firm to secure a share of the spoils.

Despite their struggles on the road, one point is all that separates the Black-and-Red from the last playoff spot as things stand.

Another assignment away from home is next for Thursday's visitors, who have only managed one triumph on their travels all-season long.

Team News

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Fresh from winning the Gold Cup with the United States, Gyasi Zardes is not expected to return in time to feature this weekend.

Liam Fraser is back from representing Canada at the aforementioned tournament and was a second-half substitute in the hosts' last outing.

DC United's Joseph Mora and Moses Nyeman were sent off against Cincinnati and are ineligible for Thursday's contest as a result.

Thirty-year-olds Steve Birnbaum and Felipe Martins are likely to come into the starting XI for their suspended teammates, with Losada sticking with his regular 3-4-3 formation.

The involvement of Julian Gressel still hangs in the balance after the German midfielder was hauled off with a knock last time out.

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:

Room; Santos, Mensah, Keita, Abdul-Salaam; Molino, Nagbe, Hairston, Matan; Hurtado, Wright-Phillips

DC United possible starting lineup:

Hamid; Alfaro, Brilliant, Najar; Birnbaum, Moreno, Martins, Gressel; Asad, Kamara, Robertha

We say: Columbus Crew 2-1 DC United

The game promises to be an enthralling affair as two very good teams go head-to-head. Columbus Crew will back themselves to take advantage of the visitors' frailties on the road, and we are tipping them to claim a narrow victory in the end.