Two sides that have struggled for form in MLS in recent weeks come together on Sunday when Sporting Kansas City host Austin FC at Children's Mercy Park.
The hosts have been defeated in 10 of their last 11 league fixtures, while the visitors make the trip this weekend with just one win in their last six outings.
Match preview
After starting the campaign with just one defeat in their opening seven MLS matches, Sporting Kansas looked like they would go on to replicate the same form that resulted in them returning to the MLS Cup playoffs the season prior.
However, a narrow 3-2 defeat to Inter Miami in mid-April has seemingly caused Peter Vermes's men to collapse, going on to be defeated in 10 of the following 12 matches in the league.
The humiliating 4-0 loss to Columbus Crew last weekend not only extended their awful run to one win in 14 MLS games but also saw Sporting Kansas concede four goals for the third successive match, following on from a 4-2 defeat to LA Galaxy and 4-3 loss to Real Salt Lake.
Vermes, who has been in charge of the club since November 2009, is certain to feel the pressure rising and his job will surely be in danger if they do not start picking up points in the coming weeks.
Austin have had problems of their own in recent games as they went five matches without a victory before eventually taking all three points against Minnesota United last time out.
Josh Wolff will be hoping that his team can put together a positive run of form following that win as they look to strengthen their place in the MLS Cup playoff places.
The triumph against Minnesota was just Austin's second win on the road this campaign and their tally of nine points away from home leaves them 21st in the away table across the entirety of the MLS.
Wolff's side will be confident of securing a result in this game having only lost twice in the eight meetings between these two sides, picking up five wins in that time, albeit both defeats have come in trips to Children's Mercy Park.
Team News
The hosts have been hampered by several injuries in recent weeks and they are set to be without up to eight players for this one.
Logan Ndenbe is yet to make an appearance this season as he continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury, and the Belgian will be joined on the treatment table by Remi Walter, Daniel Salloi, Danny Flores, Tim Leibold and Alan Pulido, with Kayden Pierre also a doubt following an injury in the previous game.
Felipe Hernandez is also unavailable after being placed on administrative leave by MLS following a report that the midfielder violated the league's gambling policies.
Austin will be without the services of both Daniel Pereira and Julio Cascante as they continue their involvement in the ongoing Copa America.
Jhojan Valencia could make a return to the side having served his one-match suspension in the victory over Minnesota last weekend.
Star player Sebastian Driussi is also expected to return to the squad after missing out on the last game due to an illness, but his replacement Gyasi Zardes is likely to keep his place in the starting team following a man-of-the-match performance in that win.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Pulskamp; Castellanos, Valencia, Voloder; Shelton, Rodriguez, Radoja, Bassong; Thommy, Agada, Afrifa
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Gallagher, Hines-Ike, Vaisanen, Biro; Finlay, Ring, Valencia, Obrian; Zardes, Rubio
We say: Sporting Kansas City 0-2 Austin FC
While Austin returned to winning ways with their victory over Minnesota last weekend, Sporting Kansas' dreadful run continued as they shipped yet another four goals in a 4-0 defeat, leading us to believe the visitors will take all the points here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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