Preview:Vancouver Whitecaps vs Sporting Kansas City - prediction, team news, lineups

Vancouver Whitecaps will host an inconsistent Sporting Kansas side when they clash at BC Place in their Major League Soccer fixture this weekend.

The Whitecaps played out a 1-1 draw in their last league outing to remain second in the Western Conference standings, while the visitors are 13th in the West with 24 points after 23 matches.

Match preview

Vancouver Whitecaps thought they were on their way to claiming their 13th league victory of the season last time out, but Ian Pilcher struck 10 minutes from time to earn a share of the spoils for the league leaders.

A victory for the Village Caps would have seen the Vancouver-based side go to the summit of the West.

In the aftermath of the game, Jesper Sorensen will be a little disappointed that his side could only take a solitary point from the match despite creating three big chances and recording an xG of 1.83.

On the flip side, he will be pleased that his team managed to earn a point against the high-flying California-based side, considering that they lost 5-3 against the same opponents at home in June.

With only one defeat in their last seven league matches on their turf, winning four and recording two draws, the hosts will be confident of getting over the line on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City came from behind to record a 1-1 draw against New York City FC in their last Major League Soccer outing.

Andres Perea put his side ahead after 22 minutes, but Daniel Salloi restored parity with 16 minutes left on the clock, a result which took their points tally to 42, one adrift of the leaders.

The visitors deserve some praise for their away form, which has seen them lose only one fixture in their last five on the road, having won two and drawn another two, with eight goals scored in that run.

Moreover, the away side have shown commendable resilience, coming from behind to earn respectable results in six of their last 11 fixtures since May 14.

Another strong factor they have going for them is their attacking prowess, which has seen them score 39 times this season, a record which is the fourth best in the West.

Vancouver Whitecaps MLS form:

Vancouver Whitecaps form (all competitions):

Sporting Kansas City MLS form:

Sporting Kansas City form (all competitions):

Team News

Vancouver Whitecaps remain without several players ahead of this fixture on Sunday.

Canadian defender Sam Adekugbe is a long-term absentee, as he is currently undergoing rehabilitation for an Achilles tendon injury.

Ahmed Ali is currently stricken with an ankle injury, meaning he will not be in consideration for Sunday’s fixture.

Ryan Gauld and Ranko Veselinovic are battling knee injuries, and they will be confined to watching proceedings from the sidelines.

For the visiting side, Erik Thommy is the only absentee for the team travelling from Kansas.

Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:

Takaoka; Ocampo, Utvik, Laborda, Blackmon; Badwal, Berhalter, Cubas; White, Sabbi, Nelson

Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:

Pulskamp; Fernandez, Ndenbe, Miller, Brody; Radoja, Garcia, Bartlett; Salloi, Joveljic, Suleymanov

We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Sporting Kansas City

Vancouver Whitecaps have endured some disappointments lately, but they are still strong enough to claim a win against Sporting Kansas City. As a result, we predict a 2-1 win for the home side.

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