DC United take on Los Angeles Galaxy at Audi Field on Saturday evening, in the latest round of MLS fixtures.
The hosts are eighth in the Eastern Conference after a solid but unspectacular start, while the visitors are bottom of the Western Conference.
Match preview
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DC United are just about inside the playoff places, having acquired 16 points from 13 games, but they have not looked impressive by any means in a number of their recent matches.
The Black & Red have lost their last four matches in all competitions, scoring just two goals in the process, most recently playing out a 0-0 draw away against Philadelphia Union, although they probably should have taken more from the game.
Wayne Rooney's side created far more clear-cut opportunities than their opponents, but they failed to make their superiority pay, continuing their very disappointing record on home soil.
In six matches at Audi Field this season, DC United have acquired just eight points, the joint-fewest of any side in the division, alongside Orlando City, although they are now unbeaten in their last two.
Not only that, but DC United are also unbeaten in their last five home matches against LA Galaxy, last losing in front of their own fans back in 2010, which bodes well heading into Saturday's game.
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LA Galaxy have made a very poor start to the MLS season, having acquired just nine points from 12 games, which leaves them rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference, although there is still plenty of time to turn their season around.
It is very tight down near the bottom of the table, with the Galaxy still just five points off the playoffs, and they have started to improve somewhat in recent weeks, recording a 2-1 victory in their last home match, against San Jose Earthquakes.
That said, Greg Vanney's side did struggle in their last match, losing 2-0 away at Columbus Crew in a game where they never really managed to threaten, and they are still searching for their first away win of the season.
In six away games, LA Galaxy have picked up just two points, scoring once and conceding 10, and that record is in dire need of improvement if they are to stand any chance of making a success out of this campaign.
Team News
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DC United's only missing player is long-term absentee Martin Rodriguez, who is absent with a knee injury, so Rooney is unlikely to make too many changes to his side, but he could look to switch it up in attack, given his side's poor recent record in front of goal.
Cristian Dajome could be brought back into the side, replacing Theodore Ku-DiPietro at right-wing, playing provider for striker Christian Benteke, who has five MLS goals to his name this season, with Mateusz Klich on the opposite flank.
Los Angeles Galaxy have a couple of long-term absentees, with Douglas Costa and Chris Mavinga still unavailable, and Vanney may also be tempted to make a few changes, given the very poor performance against Columbus Crew.
After being dropped for the last match, Javier Hernandez could return at striker, where the Mexican is likely to partner Dejan Joveljic, while Marco Delgado may come back in for Oriol Rosell in the centre of midfield.
DC United possible starting lineup:
Miller; Palsson, Pines, Williams; Durkin, Canouse, O'Brien, Samake; Klich, Dajome, Benteke
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Calegari, Zavaleta, Neal, Aude; Alvarez, Aguirre, Rosell, Edwards; Hernandez, Joveljic
We say: DC United 3-0 Los Angeles Galaxy
Although DC United have not looked great at home, they are now unbeaten in their last two, while Los Angeles Galaxy are yet to win an away match and looked particularly poor in the 2-0 defeat against Columbus Crew last time out.
As such, we expect the Black & Red to emerge as comfortable winners on Saturday night.
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Top tip
Dominic Lund
