Two sides in contrasting fortunes, Eastern Conference high-flyers Real Salt Lake will welcome the visit of Colorado Rapids.
Sitting pretty in third, Real Salt Lake will continue their assault up the conference table with another victory this weekend.
Match preview
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Only three sides in the Eastern Conference have taken more points than Real Salt Lake in the last 15 matches, as they look to rise up the division.
With a sketchy record when looking to qualify for the playoffs, Real Salt Lake will be looking to return to the top seven after comfortably missing out last season.
Winners of the Major League Soccer Cup all the way back in 2009, Real Salt Lake will be looking to rekindle the joy of 13 years ago come the end of the current campaign.
Much like Real Salt Lake, Colorado also have one MLS Cup to their name, having triumphed in the following season.
However, the 2010 MLS Cup winners hold little chance of going all the way this season as they currently reside low down the table.
Sitting in 11th with just 11 points to their name, the Rapids must turnaround their form if they wish to finish inside the top seven.
Two long time members of MLS, Colorado and Real Salt Lake have faced each other regularly across the last decade or so.
The current pendulum appears to be swinging Real Salt Lake's way, as they have triumphed in eight of the pair's last 12 meetings.
Colorado's last victory against Real Salt Lake came back in August 2021, yet a repeat this weekend looks increasingly unlikely.
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Team News
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As the misery continues to be piled on for Colorado, their woes will be worsened by the news that they will be without a number of key players.
Jack Price has made 13 appearances for the Rapids this season, but will not feature this week due to a calf injury.
Injury has also struck down Oliver Larraz, whereas Braian Galvan and Aboubacar Keita face an extended stint in the treatment room with anterior cruciate ligament problems.
A similar injury crisis has struck opponents Real Salt Lake, who will be without Damir Kreilach for the weekend clash.
Elsewhere, Zack Farnsworth and Bret Halsey are also missing, with the pair nursing ankle injuries.
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Herrera, Kappelhof, Silva, Brody; Savarino, Ruiz, Caldwell, Meram; Rubin, Cordova
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Trusty, Beitashour, Wilson; Rosenberry, Acosta, Rubio, Kaye, Warner; Zardes, Barrios
We say: Real Salt Lake 2-0 Colorado Rapids
Real Salt Lake have enjoyed a superb season so far and will enter the second half of the campaign confident of challenging for titles.
Struggling towards the bottom, Colorado are unlikely to offer much competition to the high-flyers and will likely suffer defeat this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Amos Murphy
