With only goal difference to split them in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference, both Columbus Crew and Orlando City will be hoping to push further up the division at the expense of their opponents when they meet on Sunday.

Both teams were also defeated in their most recent league game, which each will be aiming to put behind them here.

Match preview

Columbus Crew have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season, particularly in home games where they have scored more than any other team in the Eastern Conference.

Their attacking qualities were on full display in their most recent outing which saw them defeat Loudoun United 5-1 in the US Open Cup, and they will now be aiming to bring the momentum from that game into this one.

The positive midweek result was a good way for the Crew to bounce back from their previous MLS match which saw them beaten by Inter Miami, which was their third league match in a row without a win.

Despite the recent dip in form, Columbus Crew still remain in sixth place with a game in hand on all the teams above them, giving them plenty of chance to get back in contention at the top of the league.

However, they can just as easily slip down with a defeat due to how tight things are in the table right now, especially since they are level on points with Orlando City.

The visitors were also beaten in their most recent MLS game, but they were not able to turn that around in the US Open Cup as Charlotte FC knocked them out.

To make matters worse, Orlando City failed to score in either of those losses which is something that they will want to change immediately.

Scoring goals has proven to be a problem generally for the Lions as only two teams in the division have scored fewer times than them throughout this campaign.

Orlando City will be keen to put their recent performances behind them, though, and a fixture against a team level with them in the league does provide a good chance to do that on paper.

However, the team will also be wary that another defeat could see them drop down the division with several others just behind them right now.

Team News

After scoring a brace in midweek, Isaiah Parente will be aiming to retain his place in the central midfield role for the hosts.

Christian Ramirez is likely to be leading the line for Columbus Crew, especially after he found the back of the net in their recent US Open Cup win.

For the visitors, Duncan McGuire will be up top as the lone striker after he overcame an injury concern to feature in their midweek defeat.

Mauricio Pereyra has not been ruled out for this weekend after he returned to training, but it is unlikely he will get 90 minutes if he does feature.

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Vallecilla, Degenek, Moreira; Sands, Zawadzki, Morris, Farsi; Zelarayan, Matan; Ramirez

Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Halliday, Carlos, Jansson, Smith; Gonzalez, Araujo, Cartagena, Enrique; Torres; Kara

We say: Columbus Crew 2-1 Orlando City

Both teams have endured a difficult run of form in the league as of late that they will be aiming to change this weekend, but coming off an impressive win in the US Open Cup, it is Columbus Crew who enter this one as the favourites.

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