Minnesota United will be looking for some home comforts after a heavy away defeat when they host Real Salt Lake at Allianz Field in MLS on Saturday evening.
The Loons were hit for four with no reply by Houston Dynamo last time out, while Salt Lake have been busy handing Colorado Rapids back-to-back losses over the past week.
Match preview
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Minnesota's Open Cup journey came to an end on Tuesday night with a 4-0 loss at Shell Energy Stadium against fellow MLS outfit Houston in the round of 16.
Corey Baird netted a hat-trick for the hosts and substitute Ibrahim Aliyu also got involved in the scoring for Ben Olsen's men, meaning the Loons are now unable to match the Open Cup final appearance they managed in 2019.
Adrian Heath's men have only MLS matters to focus on now until the commencement of the Leagues Cup in July, with Minnesota having the chance to extend their MLS winning run this weekend after league successes over the aforementioned Dynamo and Portland Timbers.
Leading goalscorer Bongokuhle Hlongwane bagged a dramatic 95th-minute winner at Providence Park last weekend to secure the Loons back-to-back victories for the first time this season - the South African will be looking to add to his four MLS goals so far this term on Saturday.
Having won just once at Allianz Field in the five MLS games this season, only Sporting Kansas City and Colorado have picked up fewer points on home soil than Heath's charges, with their four goals scored at home a league-low total.
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Real Salt Lake have enjoyed a productive week in Denver leading up to Saturday's trip to Minnesota, getting the better of Colorado in both MLS and the Open Cup to improve the atmosphere around the club after a difficult start to the season.
Last weekend saw Salt Lake come out as victors at Dick's Sporting Goods Park after a five-goal thriller in MLS, and on Wednesday night they clashed with the Rapids again - this time Jefferson Savarino's first-half strike proved to be the only decisive moment of the Open Cup clash as the visitors booked their place in the last eight.
The Claret and Cobalt's hectic schedule continues this weekend as they head to Allianz Field, with Pablo Mastroeni's men having the chance to climb into the Western Conference playoffs with a victory.
Salt Lake are currently unbeaten in five away matches, with their most-recent defeat on the road coming at Dallas following goals from Jesus Ferreira and Bernard Kamungo for the Hoops.
If Mastroeni's side were to earn a maximum on Saturday evening, it would be the first time Salt Lake have won three-straight matches this May of last year - although all three of those games were in MLS.
Team News
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Minnesota remain without the services of Bakaye Dibassy after the centre-back suffered a serious tendon injury back in August, with the Mali international aiming to return to action next month.
Mikael Marques continues to recover from his ankle injury and is also set to return in June - the Swede managed just one appearance for the Loons before being handed a fitness setback in April.
Salt Lake centre-back Erik Holt was forced off at half time last weekend against the Rapids and did not feature in the Open Cup in midweek, meaning it is likely Justen Glad will partner Colombian Brayan Vera in the visitors' backline on Saturday.
Another defender in the Claret and Cobalt medical room is Marcelo Silva - the 34-year-old has been suffering from persistent back issues which have seen him miss Salt Lake's last six matches.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Tapias, Lawrence; Dotson, Trapp; Hlongwane, Fragapane, Rosales; Amarilla
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Davis, Glad, Vera, Oviedo; Jacquesson, Loffelsend, Ruiz, Rubin; Musovski, Kreilach
We say: Minnesota United 2-1 Real Salt Lake
Minnesota were dumped out of the Open Cup in midweek by Houston but were playing with 10 men for the majority of the contest - Heath's side will be desperate to respond with a league win on Saturday.
Real Salt Lake's travels continue after successive wins at Colorado, and we believe the effects of their busy timetable will lead to a less-than-optimal performance in Saint Paul.
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Top tip
Carter White
