New York Red Bulls will look to bounce back from consecutive home defeats in the MLS when they play host to Orlando City on Saturday.
The visitors are also experiencing a poor run of form after losing their last three matches in the MLS, leaving them just outside the playoffs.
Match preview
Sitting in fourth place with 10 matches remaining, NY Red Bulls are currently on course for a playoff place.
Despite being seven points clear of Orlando in eighth spot, Gerhard Struber's side require an upturn in form after winning one of their previous five MLS games.
After losing 5-4 in their most recent home fixture - despite leading 3-1 at the half-hour mark - the Red Bulls travelled to Audi Field to face DC United last weekend.
Although it proved to be a rather uneventful contest, NY Red Bulls managed to leave the capital with a point following a goalless draw that extended their unbeaten away run in the MLS to four matches.
They may be in fine form away from home in the MLS, but the Red Bulls will look to end a three-game winless in all competitions on Saturday.
Like their hosts, Orlando are also hoping to end a run of poor results after failing to win any of their last five matches.
While they are currently experiencing a five-game winless run, the Lions also enter Saturday's contest off the back of three consecutive defeats.
After losing to Philadelphia Union and DC United, Oscar Pareja's side attempted to return to winning ways last weekend against New England.
However, it proved to be a disappointing out as goals from Matt Polster, Wilfrid Kaptoum and Henry Kessler condemned Orlando to a 3-0 defeat.
Although Pareja will be concerned by his side recent form, they are still level on points with seventh-placed Chicago Fire, and a positive run of results in their final 10 games could help claim a playoff place.
- W
- D
- L
- W
- L
- D
- D
- L
- W
- L
- L
- D
- W
- D
- D
- L
- L
- L
- D
- D
- L
- W
- L
- L
Team News
NY Red Bulls are expected to be without the services AJ Marcucci and Wikelman Carmona, who are sidelined with shoulder and foot injuries respectively.
Luquinhas could return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench to play the full duration of the second half against DC United.
Tom Barlow will continue to lead the line for the hosts, and the forward will be joined in attack by Luquinhas and current top scorer Lewis Morgan.
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Joey DeZart, who is a long-term injury absentee, while Mason Stajduhar is a doubt for Saturday's contest.
Ivan Angulo made his Orlando debut as a substitute against New England, and the Colombian could be given his first start this weekend.
Nicholas Gioacchini has also recently arrived at the club, and the 22-year-old may join Angulo in making his first appearance in an Orlando starting lineup.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; D. Nealis, Long, S. Nealis; Harper, Casseres Jr, Yearwood, Tolkin; Morgan, Luquinhas, Barlow
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Ruan, Jansson, Carlos, Moutinho; Pereyra, Araujo; Angulo, Pato, Torres; Gioacchini
We say: New York Red Bulls 4-2 Orlando City
NY Red Bulls and Orlando have already met on two occasions this season, with the Red Bulls winning 3-0 in the MLS before the Lions thumped Saturday's opponents 5-1 in the US Open Cup.
We expect more goals to follow at the weekend, but we think that NY Red Bulls will get the better of an Orlando side, who have lost their last three MLS games.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
