Preview: Minnesota United vs. Sporting Kansas City - prediction, team news, lineups

Minnesota United will be hoping to quickly bounce back from their recent defeat when they host struggling Sporting Kansas City at Allianz Field on Saturday.

The home side are aiming to climb further up the table with a win, while the visitors have the chance to leave the bottom spot in the Western Conference if they secure maximum points.

Match preview

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This season has started well for Minnesota, as they currently sit fourth in the Western Conference with 25 points, five points behind the leaders Real Salt Lake, but with the advantage of two games in hand.

However, there have been occasional slip-ups from the hosts, one of which was their 2-0 loss to Los Angeles FC last time out at Banc of California Stadium. After a three-match winless run between matchday five and seven, the Loons won four and drew two in the following six matches, before their recent defeat.

Having played seven games each at home and away, Minnesota have picked up one more point on their travels than they have done at home. After a 2-1 victory over Portland Timbers in their last home game, the hosts will be hoping to win two straight home matches for the first time in this campaign.

Minnesota put an end to a four-match losing streak against Saturday's opposition with a win over them last month. However, they have never beaten them in two successive meetings.

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Kansas City have begun the regular season poorly, just like they did last year. SKC have won just two of their opening 15 MLS matches, leaving them at the bottom of the Western Conference with 11 points.

With their 2-1 defeat against Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday, the visitors have now set a new record for their longest losing streak under Peter Vermes in the MLS, having failed to pick up a point in their last six games.

Another defeat against Minnesota will see SKC equal their record of seven consecutive defeats in the regular season for the first time since 2006.

Kansas City were unbeaten in their first three MLS away games, picking up one win on the road - a 2-1 victory against Toronto FC in March. However, they have now lost their last four away games in the league since that win.

The visitors have largely dominated this fixture, winning 15 times, drawing four times and losing seven, but their current form leaves little confidence heading into the fixture this time around.

Team News

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Minnesota will remain without Hugo Bacharach, who is not expected to return from his knee injury until late next month.

Emanuel Reynoso is also sidelined, but this is due to a series of off-field issues, while Franco Fragapane's leg injury means his availability is questionable.

Remi Walter has missed the last couple of matches for the visitors due to a sore knee, and Logan Ndenbe is also unavailable for that same reason.

Kayden Pierre remained sidelined with an ankle injury, while Erik Thommy is out with a hamstring issue.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old midfielder Danny Flores must sit out of this one due to a concussion protocol.

Minnesota United possible starting lineup: St Clair; Arriaga, Boxall, Tapias, Taylor, Rosales; Lod, Trapp, Dotson; Jeong, Pukki

Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup: Pulskamp; Shelton, Rosero, Castellanos, Bassong; Hernandez, Radoja, Davis; Vargas, Agada, Afrifa

We say: Minnesota United 2-1 Sporting Kansas City

The two sides head into this head into this match on the back of defeats, and aiming to get back on track. However, the home side have shown their quality this season and are better-placed to secure victory here.

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