Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides looking to clinch MLS playoff places will face off on Saturday when Real Salt Lake welcome FC Cincinnati to American First Field.

The hosts currently sit in seventh position in the Western Conference, while sixth place in the Eastern Conference is occupied by Cincinnati.

Match preview

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Real Salt Lake are just three points clear of eighth-placed LA Galaxy, who boast one game in hand over Pablo Mastroeni's side.

Not only will Mastroeni be concerned by the chasing pack, but he is also challenged with turning around Real Salt Lake's poor run of form.

They have only won on three occasions in their last 15 matches, while they are also winless in their previous three games.

A 3-0 away defeat to Austin in midweek would have done nothing to lift the mood around the squad ahead of their three final regular-season fixtures.

Saturday's visitors can at least take confidence from the fact that in the only previous meeting between the two sides in 2019, they clinched a comfortable 3-0 victory.

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Meanwhile, Cincinnati are also only three points clear of Inter Miami, who sit just outside the Eastern Conference playoffs.

In contrast to their hosts, the Orange and Blue are enjoying a nine-game unbeaten run, although only three of those matches have yielded a victory.

Despite finding it tough to convert draws into victories, Saturday's visitors do have momentum in their favour after thrashing San Jose Earthquakes 6-0 last weekend.

Brenner starred with a hat-trick, while Alvaro Barreal, Luciano Acosta and Yuya Kubo all grabbed a goal apiece to wrap up a comprehensive win.

While Cincinnati have won consecutive home games, they enter Saturday's contest off the back of a seven-game winless away run, although their last three away trips have all ended level.

Team News

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Real Salt Lake are unable to call upon the services of Bobby Wood, Damir Kreilach and Zack Farnsworth, who are all sidelined with injury issues.

After playing in midweek, Mastroeni could decide to rotate his side for Saturday's contest, which could result in starting places for Justin Meram, Jasper Loffelsend, and Maikel Chang.

Sergio Cordova will also return to the lineup, with the forward looking to add to the eight goals he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, they are without Kenneth Vermeer due to an abdominal injury, while Beckham Sunderland is a doubt for Saturday's contest.

Geoff Cameron will serve a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation, which could mean Ian Murphy is given a place in the starting lineup.

Despite coming off the bench to score last weekend, Kubo will have to settle for a place amongst the substitutes, with Pat Noonan set to name an unchanged side.

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:

MacMath; Herrare, Silva, Glad, Brody; Chang, Ruiz, Loffelsend, Meram; Savarino, Cordova

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:

Celentano; Powell, Hagglund, Murphy, Miazga, Barreal; Nwobodo, Moreno, Acosta; Vazquez, Brenner

We say: Real Salt Lake 1-1 FC Cincinnati

Real Salt Lake have drawn two of their previous three home games, while Cincinnati's last away games have ended all square and as a result, we think the two sides will play out a draw on Saturday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.