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

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.

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.

Team News

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

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

Previews by email