After collecting just one point from their last two matches, Houston Dynamo will attempt to return to winning ways when they travel to PayPal Park for Wednesday's MLS clash with San Jose Earthquakes.
Meanwhile, the Earthquakes are in desperate need of three points after losing seven of their previous eight matches.
Match preview
Having mustered 14 points from 23 matches, San Jose currently languish at the foot of the Western Conference with 16 points separating them from ninth place and a spot in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
The Quakes showed signs of encouragement when they beat the Chicago Fire in their most recent home game to end a nine-game winless run in MLS.
However, San Jose failed to build upon that result in Saturday's home clash against Sporting Kansas City, with a late Khiry Shelton own goal proving to be a mere consolation in a 2-1 defeat.
After conceding 58 goals, San Jose currently have the worst defensive record in MLS, highlighting one of the key factors behind their struggles this season.
While a vulnerable backline will be a cause for concern, the hosts may be able to draw some inspiration from the fact that they recorded a narrow 2-1 victory in their most recent home game against Houston in April 2023.
In contrast to their hosts, Houston have proven to be a tough team to beat in recent times, having won three, drawn four and lost one of their last eight matches.
However, the Dynamo will be frustrated with the fact that they have followed back-to-back wins with one point from two games.
Houston suffered a 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake in their most recent away match, before they played out a 1-1 draw in Saturday's home clash with Minnesota United.
Head coach Ben Olsen would at least have been relieved to see Sebastian Ferreira net an 82nd-minute equaliser at the weekend to extend Houston's unbeaten home run to six MLS matches.
The Dynamo will head on their travels to PayPal Park, where they will have the chance to complete an MLS double over San Jose after coming from behind to claim a 2-1 victory in March's reverse fixture.
Team News
The hosts are expected to be without the services of Carlos Akapo, JT Marcinkowski, Jamar Ricketts, Bruno Wilson and Daniel.
After playing over 30 minutes at the weekend, full-back Paul Marie could be brought into the side to make his 12th start of the MLS season.
Jeremy Ebobisse will continue to spearhead the San Jose attack, with the striker looking to add to the four goals that he has scored this season.
As for Houston, Nelson Quinones remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Griffin Dorsey will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.
Dorsey is likely to be replaced by Franco Escobar, who is available for selection after serving a one-match ban at the weekend.
Ferreira will continue to lead the line for the visitors, having scored five goals in 10 MLS appearances this season.
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Marie, Munie, Rodrigues, Costa; Yueill, Gruezo; Espinoza, Lopez, Kikanovic; Ebobisse
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Escobar, Sviatchenko, Micael, Steres; Herrera, Artur; Carrasquilla, Bassi, Aliyu; Ferreira
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Houston Dynamo
Houston may have found wins hard to come by in recent away games, but we still think that they will prove too strong for a San Jose side who will be low on confidence after losing seven of their last eight matches.
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