Two sides separated by two points and three places in the Western Conference standings go head to head on Sunday when Seattle Sounders play host to Real Salt Lake at the Lumen Field.
The visiting side head into the weekend on a run of three consecutive victories against the Sounders in all competitions and will look to continue in the same vein.
Match preview
Seattle Sounders continue to struggle for results away from home in the MLS as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Atlanta United when the sides squared off at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium last Saturday.
Cristian Roldan netted eight minutes after the hour mark to cancel out Ronaldo Cisneros's first-half opener, but former Celtic man Andrew Gutman came up clutch for the hosts as he grabbed a 94th-minute winner.
Brian Schmetzer's side have now lost each of their most recent four games on the road, scoring twice and conceding six goals since a 2-0 victory at Toronto FC on July 3.
Seattle Sounders now return to their home turf where they are unbeaten in seven of their last nine outings and are currently on a run of two consecutive victories, seeing off Colorado Rapids and Dallas respectively.
With 32 points from 24 games, the Sounders are currently eighth in the Western Conference standings, one point behind Portland Timbers in the final playoff spot and two off Sunday's hosts in fifth place.
Elsewhere, Real Salt Lake failed to arrest their slump in form as they were on the receiving end of a 4-1 thrashing by a rampant Los Angeles FC side last Sunday.
After falling behind Cristian Arango's ninth minute opener, Sergio Cordova struck three minutes later to level matters, but goals from Kellyn Acosta, Gareth Bale and a second from Arango saw the Black and Gold stroll to all three points.
Pablo Mastroeni's side have now failed to taste victory in any of their last three league games, picking up one point from a possible nine, while managing just one win in their last eight outings since June.
The Claret and Cobalt also head into the weekend winless in their last four away games, losing three and picking up one draw since May's 2-1 victory over CF Montreal at the Saputo Stadium.
However, Real Salt Lake will fancy their chances of ending this dry spell as they go up against a Seattle Sounders side against whom they have picked up three straight wins from the last three meetings between the sides.
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Team News
Seattle Sounders will take to the pitch without the services of 31-year-old midfielder Joao Paulo, who has been ruled out through an ACL injury.
He is joined on the Rave Green's injury table by fellow midfielder Obed Vargas, who is set to sit out his 11 consecutive game after picking up a back problem in June's 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC.
As for Real Salt Lake, Mastroeni will be unable to call upon the defensive duo of Bret Halsey and 20-year-old Zack Farnsworth, who are both recuperating from ankle injuries.
At the centre of the park, Damir Kreilach picked up a back injury in April's game against New York City FC and the 33-year-old midfielder remains out of contention for the Claret and Cobalt.
The attacking duo of Tate Schmitt and former Hamburger forward Bobby Wood will play no part in this weekend's matchup due to ankle and groin issues respectively.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; A. Roldan, Gomez, Arreaga, Tolo; C. Roldan, Rusnak; Chu, Lodeiro, Morris; Montero
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Herrera, Glad, Silva, Brody; Chang, Besler, Loffelsend, Meram; Cordova, Savarino
We say: Seattle Sounders 2-1 Real Salt Lake
With just two points between the sides in the standings, we predict a thrilling and end-to-end affair at the Lumen Field. Seattle Sounders head into the weekend on a run of two consecutive home wins and we are backing them to see off the visitors, who have picked up just one point from their last four away games.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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