New England Revolution play host to New York Red Bulls on Saturday evening looking to win their first match of the new MLS season.
At a time when the home side sit in 13th place in the Eastern Conference table, the Red Bulls sit in seventh on the back of a four-match unbeaten streak.
Match preview
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Having only won three MLS fixtures since July, it should perhaps come as no surprise that New England Revolution are struggling at the start of this campaign.
Despite kicking off with a goalless draw at a Nashville SC that have since impressed, three consecutive defeats have been posted.
Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union and New York City have all prevailed with Caleb Porter‘s side netting just the once in their opening four games.
That came via an own goal, and Porter knows that he needs to find a way of finding a greater balance with his team despite being satisfied with just five strikes being conceded in 360 minutes of football.
In total, the Revs have emerged victorious in only one of their most recent 14 matches in MLS, that triumph coming as far back as September.
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As for New York Red Bulls, they are looking to build on losing last season’s MLS playoffs, and Sandro Schwarz will be delighted with their start to the campaign.
Since losing 1-0 at Cincinnati, the Red Bulls have collected eight points from a possible 12, albeit aided by playing three of those four games at home.
Victories have been posted over Nashville SC and Toronto FC, with draws coming in between versus Atlanta United and Orlando City.
Schwarz’s side now sit just four points adrift of the leaders, yet one negative is only six goals being scored in their five games thus far.
Team News
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With seven of this New England Revolution squad having started every game thus far, there are unlikely to be many alterations here.
Luca Langoni could be restored to the attack, either down the right or centre, while the versatile Ilay Feingold is an option in defence.
Leonardo Campana missed out through injury last time out and is not expected to feature here.
As for New York Red Bulls, Felipe Carballo would have been in contention for a start after his assist as a substitute last time out, but he serves a one-match ban after his late dismissal.
Schwarz could now select the same team, Emil Forsberg looking to add to his three goals for the campaign behind Eric Choupo-Moting.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Feingold, Ceballos, Fofana, Sands; Yueill, Polster; Ganago, Gil, Yusuf; Langoni
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Marcucci; Eile, S.Nealis, Hack; D.Nealis, Stroud, Edelman, Edwards; Carmona, Forsberg; Choupo-Moting
We say: New England Revolution 1-2 New York Red Bulls
Having conceded just five times in four games, New England Revolution will have a certain level of belief that they can take something from this contest. However, we can only back the visitors to come through with another three points to move them up the Eastern Conference table.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
