Austin FC will host Houston Dynamo at Q2 Stadium on Thursday for matchday 13 of the 2023-24 Major League Soccer season, hoping to avoid a three-game winless streak.
Both sides are separated by a single point and position in the table, with the hosts needing all three points to climb into the automatic playoff places.
Match preview
Austin's three-match unbeaten run came to an end after a 2-1 defeat to Dallas at Toyota Stadium last Sunday.
Josh Wolff's side conceded in each half before Sebastian Driussi pulled a goal back from the penalty spot with six minutes remaining, but they were unable to complete the comeback.
The Verde and Black have now lost two of their last seven regular season matches and have seen their run of three consecutive clean sheets ended.
Austin sit eighth in the Western Conference with 16 points from 12 matches, just outside the automatic playoff spots.
They return home on Thursday looking to get back to winning ways and will be confident of doing so against a side they boast a perfect home record against; they have won all four meetings they have hosted against Houston.
The Verde and Black have also won the last two encounters between the two sides, including their match last month, and now have the opportunity to win three consecutive games against the visitors for the second time in their history.
Houston Dynamo ended a three-match winless run in the league with a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park last Saturday.
Hector Herrera put Houston ahead just past the half-hour mark, but they surrendered the lead in the 61st minute when Daniel Salloi equalised for Kansas City. However, Aliyu Ibrahim netted the winner in the 78th minute to secure all three points for the Texans.
El Naranja climbed to seventh in the Western Conference standings, one point clear of their next opponents and occupying the final automatic playoff spot.
In what will be their second consecutive away match and fifth away league game of the season, Pat Onstad's side have a record of three wins and two defeats, which is better than their home form so far.
Team News
Ethan Finlay is the only potential absentee for the hosts as he remains questionable due to a hamstring issue.
Diego Rubio is the leading scorer for the Verde and Black with three goals and should lead the line once again for Austin in this clash.
Nelson Quinones remains sidelined for Houston as he still nurses a knee problem which he picked up on international duty and has kept him out of action since February.
Franco Escobar is questionable for the away side through injury, but the defender is closing in on a return to full fitness.
Sebastian Ferreira has also been confirmed as an absentee in this fixture as he currently has an issue with his lower body.
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Gallagher, Cascante, Hines-Ike, Biro; Ring, Perreira; Obrian, Driussi, Rigoni; Rubio
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Steres, Sviatchenko, Micael, Dorsey; Herrera, Artur; Ibrahim, Bassi, Carrasquilla; Kowalczyk
We say: Austin FC 2-1 Houston Dynamo
Austin knows they have to quickly bounce back from defeat in their last match and they will feel this is a perfect opportunity for that against a side they have beaten in all the four times they have hosted this fixture. We expect a home win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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