Columbus Crew take on Colorado Rapids at Lower.com Field on Wednesday evening, in the latest round of MLS Fixtures.
The hosts are 10th in the Eastern Conference, having been on a poor recent run of form, while the visitors are 13th in the Western Conference.
Match preview
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Columbus Crew have picked up 18 points from their first 14 games, meaning they are sitting just outside the playoff places, but they will need to improve if they are to force their way back into the top nine.
The Crew are on a two-game losing run in the MLS, and they have won just one of their last five games, with that coming against Los Angeles Galaxy, who are currently bottom of the Western Conference.
Wilfried Nancy's side have been very entertaining to watch up to this point, having scored 26 goals, the third-highest amount of any side in either conference, recording a very impressive 6-1 win against Atlanta United back in March.
That resounding victory came at Lower.com Field, where Columbus Crew have collected 14 of their 18 points this season, and they have lost on home soil just once, which should give them confidence heading into Wednesday's game.
Last time out, the Crew fell short away at Nashville SC, losing 3-1 despite taking an early lead through Yaw Yeboah, although they did come up against very tough opposition, and Wednesday's game should be easier, given their opponents' recent form.
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Indeed, Colorado Rapids have been very poor of late, and they are now on a four-game losing streak in the MLS, which has caused them to slide down to second-bottom in the table.
A lack of goals has been a real issue for Colorado, having scored just 12 times in 15 games up to this point, the second-fewest of any side in the Western Conference, failing to score in two of their last three MLS games.
The most recent of those matches came at home against FC Cincinnati, losing 1-0 courtesy of a first-half goal from Dominique Badji, and in truth Robin Fraser's side never looked like scoring, given that they were unable to create any real clear-cut opportunities.
If there is one positive to take into Wednesday's game, it is that Colorado Rapids have been far better on their travels than at home so far this season, collecting nine of their 12 points on the road, having recorded victories against Sporting Kansas City and LA Galaxy.
Team News
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Columbus Crew have a number of players on the treatment table, with midfielder Milos Degenek set to miss his seventh straight game, while Kevin Molino will also be unavailable due to a knee injury.
Will Sands has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with an ACL tear, so Malte Amundsen should get the nod again in a left-wing back role, with Mohamed Farsi on the opposite side, in a 3-4-2-1 system.
Having scored upon his return from injury last time out, Yeboah is set to keep his place on the right of the front three, playing provider for Cucho, who has six assists in eight MLS appearances this season.
Colorado Rapids also have a couple of notable absentees, with midfielder Max set to miss out for the sixth game on the spin, while Jack Price has an Achilles tendon injury, which will cause him to miss out for the foreseeable future.
Having failed to show any attacking threat in recent weeks, Fraser may choose to mix up his frontline, with Yosuke Hanya potentially replacing Calvin Harris.
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Quinton, Vallecilla; Farsi, Morris, Nagbe, Amundsen; Yeboah, Zelarayan, Cucho
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Abubakar, Maxso, Wilson; Rosenberry, Cabral, Ronan, Levya, Markanich; Lewis, Harris
We say: Columbus Crew 2-0 Colorado Rapids
Although Columbus Crew have not been in the best form recently, they have a fantastic record in front of goal, and we expect them to record a comfortable victory against Colorado Rapids on Wednesday.
Colorado have been on a four-game losing run, and their only two wins this season have been against struggling sides, the most recent of which coming at the beginning of May.
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