Houston Dynamo will welcome Los Angeles FC to Shell Energy Stadium this weekend, fresh off a 2-0 victory over their opponents in Los Angeles last week.
Currently seventh in the Western Conference, Houston will be eager to replicate that performance and strengthen their playoff hopes against a formidable opponent that will be looking to exact revenge after last weekend's loss.
Match preview
Houston Dynamo enter this weekend's clash with renewed confidence after their impressive 2-0 win over LAFC on the road last week - a victory that not only avenged some recent inconsistency in their form but also boosted their playoff aspirations.
Sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference with 40 points from 26 games, they hold a narrow four-point lead over Minnesota United in ninth, meaning every point from here on out is crucial. A win against LAFC at home would strengthen their hold on a playoff spot.
Despite some ups and downs across all competitions recently, Houston's domestic form has been more stable as they have suffered just one loss in their last five MLS games, a 2-0 defeat to Toronto FC, even though prior to that, they managed two wins and two draws, including a key victory over Charlotte FC.
At home, the hosts have been relatively strong, winning two of their last five matches at Shell Energy Stadium.
However, their most recent home results - a draw against Minnesota United and a disappointing loss to Toronto - highlight the need for consistency.
LAFC will be eager to bounce back from last week's 2-0 defeat to their hosts, a surprising result given their strong season so far, as they currently sit second in the Western Conference with 47 points from 25 games.
The Los Angeles outfit have won 14, drawn five and lost six of their matches so far as they chase city rivals LA Galaxy, who lead the conference with 52 points but have played three more games.
While LAFC have been strong overall, their recent form has been less consistent; they have recorded two wins, a draw and two losses in their last five matches across all competitions, with both of those defeats coming at the hands of Columbus Crew - one in the Leagues Cup final, and another in MLS.
However, LAFC will take confidence from their good run of form on the road, having won five and drawn one of their last six away matches, including notable victories at Seattle Sounders and 'El Trafico' rivals LA Galaxy.
Aiming to surpass last season's third-place finish in the Western Conference, LAFC will view this match as a crucial opportunity to keep the pressure on LA Galaxy, even though their recent defeat to Houston will still be fresh in their minds.
Team News
Houston Dynamo will be without goalkeeper Xavier Valdez, who is on international duty with the Dominican Republic, while Nelson Quinones is ruled out due to a knee injury.
There are also concerns over Coco Carrasquilla, who is questionable with a quad issue, and Jan Gregus, who remains a doubt due to a hip problem.
LAFC will be missing several key players due to international duty, including Mateusz Bogusz, Denis Bouanga, Omar Campos, Maxime Chanot, David Martinez and Cristian Olivera.
Additionally, the visitors will be without Lorenzo Dellavalle and Jesus Murillo, both sidelined with knee injuries.
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Dorsey, Sviatchenko, Micael, Escobar; Herrera, Artur; Blessing, Bassi, Aliyu; Ponce
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Segura, Murillo, Long; Palencia, O'Brien, Sanchez, Hollingshead; Ordaz, Kamara, Muller
We say: Houston Dynamo 1-1 Los Angeles FC
A tightly contested match is expected, but with Houston's defensive strength and LAFC's desire to rebound, a draw seems a plausible outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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