Two sides at opposite ends of the Major League Soccer Western Conference standings will do battle on Sunday, as Real Salt Lake host San Jose Earthquakes.
A defeat last time out saw the home side drop to third spot, while their visitors sit 13th with just three league wins to their name.
Match preview
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Real Salt Lake have already experienced a widely mixed season in the MLS, having started with a draw and three victories before going five games without a win.
The Claret and Cobalt were then able to bounce back with a 1-0 victory at home to Los Angeles Galaxy, before again being left disappointed as they were defeated 2-0 away at Nashville SC in the following encounter.
Following that setback, Pablo Mastroeni's side put an important run together to quickly scale the Western Conference, as they posted another three consecutive wins, firstly beating Austin FC and CF Montreal narrowly.
A 3-0 thrashing of Houston Dynamo, with Bobby Wood, Sergio Cordova and Justen Glad on the scoresheet, made it nine points from the three games, but they were unable to extend that streak any further last time out when they travelled to take on Vancouver Whitecaps.
RSL looked to have taken a point as the sides went into injury time level at one goal apiece, only for the hosts to win a penalty, which Ryan Gauld converted to send them home empty-handed, and Mastroeni's men, now sitting third in the division after that defeat, will be keen to bounce back from that disappointment and return to winning ways at the weekend.
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They take on a San Jose Earthquakes side who appear to have improved after a dismal start, as they failed to win any of their first seven league matches and collected just three points.
That slump triggered the exit of former boss Matias Almeyda, and, under the temporary guidance of Alex Covelo, the Quakes were able to bounce back and pick up three victories from their next five outings in the MLS, beating Seattle Sounders, Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers in tight encounters.
Since that latest triumph, the San Jose outfit have been unable to add another notch to their wins column, firstly drawing with Sporting Kansas City before suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat at the hands of Los Angeles FC, with Jeremy Ebobisse's first-half brace not enough to leave with a positive result.
Covelo and his side most recently travelled to take on Nashville SC, and they were able to leave with a commendable point as the game finished in a goalless stalemate.
While they still find themselves second from bottom in the Western Conference, the Quakes should be relatively pleased by their recent improvement and will now look to make it four league wins for the campaign when they face another tough test on Sunday.
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Team News
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Real Salt Lake are without full-back Aaron Herrera, who was sent off in the dying minutes of their eventual defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps.
Goals have been somewhat spread across the squad, but Bobby Wood and Sergio Cordova have each found the net three times in the MLS thus far and should continue to lead the attack.
Elsewhere, Justen Glad and Marcelo Silva will again partner up at the heart of the defence, having largely kept things tight for the Claret and Cobalt.
Real Salt Lake's attack will be spearheaded by Jeremy Ebobisse, who has already hit nine league goals this season despite his team's struggles.
He should again be supported by the wide threat from Cristian Espinoza and Cade Cowell, with Jamiro Monteiro completing the attacking unit.
Midfielder Jan Gregus is somewhat of a creative hub, having contributed seven assists this season, with Eric Remedi again set to partner him in the engine room.
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Brody, Glad, Silva, Kablan; Chang, Loffelsend, Ruiz, Meram; Wood, Cordova
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Marcinkowski; Thompson, Nathan, Beason, Marie; Gregus, Remedi; Espinoza, Monteiro, Cowell; Ebobisse
We say: Real Salt Lake 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes have certainly shown encouraging signs recently, but they face an unenviable test travelling to a Real Salt Lake side fighting to return to winning ways to strengthen their place at the top end of the division, and we envisage a home triumph.
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Top tip
Sam Varley
