Real Salt Lake take on Atlanta United at America First Field on Sunday in a clash between two sides in different MLS conferences.
The home team sit joint-top of their conference with 40 points, while the visitors are eighth with 24 points, clinging onto the final MLS Cup playoff spot in their division.
Match preview
Real Salt Lake bounced back quickly from their defeat against Los Angeles Galaxy, securing a 3-2 win over Houston Dynamo last Wednesday.
Pablo Mastroeni's men fell behind early on when Aliyu Ibrahim netted for Dynamo, but goals from Andres Gomez and Diego Luna helped the Claret and Cobalt overturn the deficit before half time.
Andrew Brody put the ball into his own net in the 55th minute to level the score, but Braian Ojeda stepped up in the 67th minute to ensure Salt Lake claimed all three points.
The Claret and Cobalt are tied on 40 points with Los Angeles FC at the summit of the Western Conference table, although they have played one more game.
Despite their strong position, their next opponents pose a significant threat, as Salt Lake have won just one of their four previous meetings with Atlanta United, losing three.
However, Salt Lake's excellent home form this year suggests they are well-prepared for Sunday's match, having won seven of their 10 home fixtures, drawing once and losing twice.
Atlanta's interim manager Rob Valentino has overseen two wins and two draws in his four MLS games in charge since his appointment on June 3. However, he suffered his first defeat against New England Revolution on Wednesday.
The Five Stripes fell to a 2-1 defeat, with Giacomo Vrioni scoring a first-half double for New England before Daniel Rios pulled one back for Valentino's men in the 90th minute.
Despite the loss, Atlanta still occupy the final Eastern Conference playoff spot and are level on points with eighth-placed Toronto, while having a game in hand over them.
The visitors suffered their first away defeat under Valentino last time out, having previously drawn one, won one and lost one in his three games on the road, and it is worth noting that prior to this, they had only won once in 13 away games and just five times in 41 matches.
Team News
Real Salt Lake will be without Jose Bonilla and Pablo Ruiz due to knee injuries, while Erik Holt and Marcelo Silva have hamstring problems.
Maikel Chang and Justen Glad have questionable fitness and will have to fully recover from ankle injuries to feature in this clash.
Cristian Arango is the MLS's leading scorer with 16 goals from 21 appearances, and will spearhead the attack once again, looking to add to his tally.
As for the visitors, they will remain without winger Edwin Mosquera who is still recovering from a knee injury and could be out until August.
Atlanta will also be without Senegalese forward Jamal Thiare, who is sidelined with a shoulder for the meantime.
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Brody, Davis, Oviedo, Katranis; Eneli, Ojeda; Luna, Crooks, Gomez; Arango
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Gregersen, Williams, Abram; Lennon, Fortune, Muyumba, Slisz, Wiley; Rios, Silva
We say: Real Salt Lake 2-1 Atlanta United
While Atlanta seem to have a new lease of life under their manager, Salt Lake are one of the best performing teams in MLS this year and have been particularly strong at home. The hosts won this fixture the last time they were at home, and we think they will edge it again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
