St Louis City and Sporting Kansas City square off on Wednesday night looking to move clear of the Western Conference relegation zone.
These two teams currently sit in 13th and 12th position in the standings on the back of defeats in their most recent fixtures.
Match preview
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After beginning the campaign by putting together a four-game unbeaten streak, St Louis City boss Olof Mellberg would have been encouraged by the start of his reign.
However, his side have since gone eight matches without success in MLS, accumulating just the two draws during that period which started on March 22.
Those stalemates with Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps and Los Angeles FC helped stop the rot and had the potential to kick-start their season.
Nevertheless, Mellberg’s team have since lost out to Seattle Sounders and fourth-placed San Diego, who netted two late goals to seal a 2-1 win in that fixture.
As a result, St Louis sit in 13th place in the table and six points adrift of the playoffs, although it should be highlighted that only five goals have been conceded in their six games at Energizer Park.
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In sharp contrast, Sporting Kansas City began the season with a five-game winless streak, collecting just one point, and it has taken an impressive revival to haul themselves back into playoff contention.
Three victories have been recorded in their last six encounters, including a 5-3 success in an incredible game at San Jose Earthquakes.
As recently as the start of April, Sporting Kansas also defeated their hosts on Wednesday night, with bottom-placed Los Angeles Galaxy also being overcome.
Interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin has been responsible for nine points being earned from six games, the 50-year-old putting himself in contention for the main role providing that another three points can be secured next time out.
Team News
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Unless Mellberg decides to rotate his St Louis City, the starting lineup could be similar from the last game where they did not concede until the 79th minute.
Simon Becher is an option to come into the attack at the expense of Joao Klauss, the pair having each netted just once all season.
The versatile Marcel Hartel started on the left last time out but it is possible that he could be used in a deeper role.
Meanwhile, Jake Davis would have been viewed as a straight replacement for Jacob Bartlett had he not collected his third yellow card of the campaign after his introduction.
Therefore, Zorhan Bassong may start in central midfield instead, that potentially being the only change made by Zavagnin.
St Louis City possible starting lineup:
Lundt; Hiebert, Yaro, Baumgartl; Watts, Ostrak, Wallem, Horn; Teuchert, Becher, Hartel
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Pulskamp; Brody, Miller, Voloder, Leibold; Garcia, Bassong, Radoja; Suleymanov, Joveljic, Salloi
We say: St Louis City 1-1 Sporting Kansas City
With the visitors having outperformed their hosts in recent weeks, we would not be surprised to see an away win by a narrow scoreline. However, given the spirited efforts of St Louis at their home ground, a draw could play out that suits neither team.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
