The MLS returns with a fresh set of thrilling fixtures as FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew go head to head at Ohio's TQL Stadium on Sunday.
With just one point and two places separating the sides in the Eastern Conference standings, we expect them to take the game to each other in search of all three points.
Match preview
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Pat Noonan's Cincinnati side failed to move into the playoffs places last weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw by New York Red Bulls when the sides locked horns at the Red Bull Arena.
In what was his second outing since his summer move from Chelsea, newly-signed defender Matthew Miazga opened the scoring in the 13th minute, but Patryk Klimala restored parity from the penalty spot 10 minutes later.
Cincinnati have now been involved in a share of the spoils in four of their last five games — with a 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union on August 7 being the exception — while they have picked up eight draws and lost once in their last 10 outings since June.
While Pat Noonan's side have been potent in the final third, this run has been owing to their struggles at the defensive end of the pitch, where they have failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 consecutive games while conceding 20 goals in that time.
With 34 points from 26 games, Cincinnati are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference standings, level on points with New England Revolution and one point off seventh-placed Sunday's visitors Columbus Crew in the final playoff spot.
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The Crew, on the other hand, were held to a second consecutive share of the spoils last Sunday when they played out a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United on home turf.
In an end-to-end affair at Lower.com Field, Cucho Hernandez scored two quick-fire goals in the second half to cancel out Santiago Sosa's first-half opener before Juan Sanchez Purata netted in the 77th minute to restore parity.
Prior to that, Columbus Crew secured a hard-earned 3-2 victory over New York City FC on August 7 to snap their two-game winless run before visiting the Dick's Sporting Goods Park one week later where they were held to a 1-1 draw by Colorado Rapids.
Caleb Porter's men head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last six away games in the league, picking up three draws and three wins since a 2-0 defeat at the hands of New York City FC on May 15.
Columbus Crew's next task sees them take on a Cincinnati side who have lost the most recent two meetings between the teams and are winless in nine of their last 11 encounters since June 2017.
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Team News
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Cincinnati will be without the goalkeeping duo of Beckham Sunderland and 36-year-old Kenneth Vermeer, who are currently recuperating from head and abdominal injuries respectively.
They are joined on the club's injury table by Brazilian forward Sergio Santos, who is set to sit out his seventh consecutive game through a leg problem.
Twenty-eight-year-old Ronald Matarrita has been out of action since March due to a severe tendon injury and the Costa Rican midfielder will play no part in this weekend's matchup.
Barring any late fitness issues, Columbus Crew head into Sunday's game with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Porter the luxury of a full strength squad at his disposal.
Hernandez has netted four goals in his last three games, and the 23-year-old, who is now tied on eight goals with Lucas Zelarayan as the Crew's top scorer this season, should spearhead the attack once again.
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Hagglund, Cameron, Miazga; Powell, Moreno, Acosta, Nwobodo, Barreal; Vazquez, Brenner
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Room; Moreira, Mensah, Degenek, Santos; Nagbe, Artur; Junior, Zelarayan, Diaz; Hernandez
We say: FC Cincinnati 2-2 Columbus Crew
Cincinnati and Columbus Crew head into the weekend separated by just one point in the conference table and we anticipate an end-to-end affair between both sides in a heated race for a playoffs spot. However, we predict that they will cancel out each other's efforts and settle for a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
