MX23RW : Thursday, October 12 05:07:03| >> :60:76:76:

Preview: Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Major League Soccer clash between Dallas and Colorado Rapids, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Dallas will look to move a step closer to securing their place in the MLS playoffs when they face Colorado Rapids on Wednesday.

While the hosts are hoping to maintain their spot in the top nine, Colorado are sitting at the foot of the Western Conference and only have pride to play for.


Match preview

 FC Dallas head coach Nico Estevez reacts on September 17, 2023© Reuters

While Dallas have gone six MLS matches without defeat, Nico Estevez will be frustrated with the fact that his side have drawn five matches in their unbeaten run.

After drawing with Atlanta United and Seattle Sounders, Dallas picked up maximum points in their away meeting with Real Salt Lake on September 21.

Since that result, they have gone on to play out three consecutive draws, including Sunday's goalless affair in the Texas Derby against Houston Dynamo.

Having missed the chance to convert a number of draws into victories, Dallas are currently in ninth place in the Western Conference, which would secure them a place in the wildcard round.

Sitting just three points clear of the chasing pack, their main priority will be to secure their place in the top nine, but they will also be harbouring hopes of closing the two-point gap to the top seven and a spot in the first round of the playoffs.

Colorado Rapids interim head coach Chris Little looks on on September 28, 2023© Reuters

After picking up just 26 points from their 31 MLS fixtures, Colorado will miss out on the playoffs for the second straight season.

While there may be little to play for, the Rapids do have the chance to claim consecutive MLS victories for the first time since September 2022 after claiming a narrow win in Saturday's home meeting with Austin FC.

Andreas Maxso's 41st-minute effort proved enough to guide Colorado to just their fifth victory of the MLS season, which still leaves them with the lowest win tally in the Western Conference.

They will now head on their travels, where they will be looking to end a run of 10 consecutive away defeats in all competitions.

Colorado will need to improve at both ends of the pitch if they are to end their poor away form, having conceded at least two goals in each of their last 10 away matches, while they have failed to find the net in six of those fixtures.

Dallas Major League Soccer form:

Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer form:

Advert - content below:


Team News

Dallas midfielder Asier Illarramendi (14) and midfielder Liam Fraser (18) and forward Jesus Ferreira (10) on September 3, 2023© Reuters

Dallas are without long-term absentee Tarik Scott, while Geovane Jesus and Sebastian Lletget are sidelined with knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

Jader Obrian dropped down to the bench at the weekend following four consecutive starts, but the Colombian is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday.

Having scored 12 goals in 24 MLS appearances this season, Jesus Ferreira will continue to lead the line for the hosts.

As for the visitors, their injury list contains Alex Gersbach, Aboubacar Keita, William Yarbrough and Jack Price.

Sidnei Tavares has missed the last three matches for Colorado, and he remains a doubt for Wednesday's encounter due to illness.

After seeing his side claim maximum points at the weekend, interim boss Chris Little could be tempted to name an unchanged starting lineup.


Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Twumasi, Ibeagha, Tafari, Farfan; Quignon, Illaramendi, Arriola, Velasco, Obrian; Ferreira

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Ilic; Anderson, Bombito, Maxso, Gutman; Ronan, Bassett; Nicholson, Rubio, Harris; Navarro


SM words green background

We say: Dallas 2-1 Colorado Rapids

After drawing their last three matches, we think that Dallas will return to winning ways against a Colorado side who have lost 10 consecutive away games in all competitions.

How to watch

You can watch Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

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

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:curl

ID:525534:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11797:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

Who will win Thursday's Major League Soccer clash between Dallas and Colorado?

Dallas
Draw
Colorado Rapids
Dallas
70.0%
Draw
20.0%
Colorado Rapids
10.0%
10
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi taken off versus Toronto
Read Next:
Saturday's Major League Soccer predictions including Inter Miami vs. New York City FC
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
MLS Apple TV+ Messi promo
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1FC CincinnatiCincinnati33208555371868
2Orlando City33179753391460
3Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia331510856391755
4Columbus Crew33159965452054
5New England RevolutionNew England321410854421252
6Atlanta UnitedAtlanta331311964511350
7Nashville SCNashville321210103629746
8CF MontrealMontreal33125163550-1541
9DC United341010144549-440
10New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls331010133539-440
11Chicago Fire331010133950-1140
12Charlotte FCCharlotte FC32912114250-839
13New York City FCNY City33814113439-538
14Inter MiamiInter Miami3296173951-1233
15Toronto33410192657-3122

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1St Louis City331751162431956
2Los Angeles FCLos Angeles331491053381551
3Seattle SoundersSeattle33131193932750
4Houston DynamoHouston331391148371148
5Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver331211105447747
6Real Salt LakeSalt Lake32137124548-346
7San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes331013103842-443
8Portland TimbersPortland331110124555-1043
9Dallas321012103635142
10Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd331011124548-341
11Sporting Kansas CityKansas33118144550-541
12Austin FCAustin33108154854-638
13Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy32811134861-1335
14Colorado RapidsColorado32511162552-2726

MLS Apple TV+ Messi promo
New Apple Music general promo - 300x250

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!