Preview:Minnesota United vs San Diego - prediction, team news, lineups

Minnesota United and San Diego meet in Major League Soccer this week, both aiming to break clear of each other in the top three of the Western Conference.

Eric Ramsay’s team and Mikey Varas’s side are level on 30 points, occupying second and third place respectively, although the visitors currently lead the way due to a marginally superior goal difference.

Match preview

Minnesota returned to winning ways with an impressive 3-2 victory away at Seattle Sounders, inspired by a seven-minute second-half brace from Tani Oluwaseyi and a Robin Lod penalty in between.

The Loons are now unbeaten in four successive MLS matches, although they had been frustrated with back-to-back draws prior to that win in Seattle, having scored only once across those two stalemates.

With 30 points on the board from 17 matches, Ramsay’s men have one more point than they managed at the same stage last season, but they remain five points adrift of Western Conference leaders Vancouver.

Minnesota are now aiming to record successive league victories for the fourth time this term, although they face one of their toughest challenges yet in San Diego, in what will be the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

The Loons have dropped points in half of their home matches this season, drawing three and losing one of their eight fixtures at Allianz Field, although they are currently enjoying a four-game unbeaten run at home across all competitions, with three wins and one draw.

San Diego’s first-ever MLS campaign has been a success so far, with Varas’s side sitting third in the overall standings and second in the Western Conference as they continue to impress.

SDFC saw their five-match unbeaten run brought to an end by a narrow 1-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders, but they responded in style by beating Austin FC 2-0 in their most recent outing.

One of the key strengths of this San Diego team has been their attacking firepower, with 29 goals scored in 17 matches making them the third-highest scorers in the Western Conference.

However, their away form remains a major concern, with four defeats from seven matches on the road, including four losses in their last five away league fixtures.

Out of the 18 goals conceded this season, 11 have come on opposition territory, and four of their five league defeats have been suffered away from home, leaving plenty of room for improvement in that area.

Minnesota United MLS form:

Minnesota United form (all competitions):

San Diego MLS form:

Team News

Minnesota are missing a number of players through injury and international duty, with Carlos Harvey away with Panama for the Gold Cup and Hassani Dotson still sidelined with injury.

Oluwaseyi, who scored twice last time out, and goalkeeper Dayne St Clair have joined up with Canada, while Joseph Rosales is representing Honduras and Kipp Keller remains out with a leg injury.

On a positive note, Lod and Michael Boxall could be available again after their recent international commitments.

San Diego have also lost key players to international duty, with midfielders Luca de la Torre and Anibal Godoy representing the United States and Panama respectively at the Gold Cup.

Meanwhile, Hamady Diop, Manu Duah, Andres Reyes and Marcus Ingvartsen are all expected to miss out due to ongoing leg injuries.

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:

St. Clair; Hlongwane, Markanich, Boxall, Romero, Rosales; Lod, Harvey, Trapp, Gene; Yeboah

San Diego possible starting lineup:

Dos Santos; McVey, McNair, Bombino, Verhoeven; Alvarado, Godoy, Verskov; Dreyer, Valakari, Mighten

We say: Minnesota United 2-1 San Diego

Minnesota United have been strong at Allianz Field recently, coming into this clash unbeaten in four home matches, and with San Diego struggling on their travels and missing key players, the Loons should have the edge.

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