Los Angeles FC will be bidding to return to winning ways in the MLS Western Conference when they travel to Dallas on Saturday night.
The visitors are currently second in the table, level on points with leaders St Louis City, while Dallas occupy seventh position, boasting 26 points from their opening 19 games of the season.
Match preview
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Dallas finished third in the Western Conference last season, ultimately reaching the conference semi-finals, where they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Austin FC.
The Hoops have found it difficult to show consistency this term, though, posting a record of seven wins, five draws and seven defeats from 19 matches to collect 26 points, which has left them in seventh position.
Dallas were last victorious on June 8, recording a 2-0 win over leaders St Louis City, but they have since lost to Portland Timbers and Austin, suffering defeats in four of their last five matches.
Nico Estevez's side have back-to-back home games at the start of July, hosting DC United in their next game after this one, before travelling to Colorado Rapids.
Dallas recorded a 2-1 victory over Los Angeles in the corresponding match last season, but they suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Falcons when the two sides locked horns earlier this term.
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Los Angeles, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a 3-2 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps, which proved to be their fourth league defeat of the campaign.
The Falcons found themselves 2-0 down inside the opening 23 minutes of the clash in California and were ultimately unable to recover, with Vancouver running out narrow winners.
Steve Cherundolo's side sit second in the table on 32 points, level with leaders St Louis City, although they have a game in hand on the team at the top of the division.
Los Angeles enjoyed an excellent campaign last season, finishing top of the Western Conference on 67 points before triumphing in the playoffs, ultimately beating Philadelphia Union on penalties to win the MLS Cup.
The Black and Golds have a busy start to July, playing five times before July 16, and they will be bidding to take control of the division in the coming weeks, especially as current leaders St Louis City have lost seven times this season.
Team News
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Dallas will be without the services of six players through injury for this match, with Jesus Jimenez, Ema Twumasi, Paxton Pomykal, Tsiki Ntsabeleng, Paul Arriola and Tarik Scott all on the sidelines.
Jesus Ferreira has been comfortably the team's main source of goals this season, finding the back of the net on 10 occasions in all competitions, and he should feature in the final third of the field.
The leading goalscorer was not involved against Austin last time out but is expected to be back for this one, with Alan Velasco also likely to feature in an attacking area for the hosts.
As for Los Angeles, Jesus Murillo, Sergi Palencia, Kellyn Acosta and Maxime Crepeau will be unavailable for selection due to fitness problems.
Denis Bouanga has been in excellent scoring form during the current season, netting 18 times in all competitions, and he will again feature in an attacking position.
Carlos Vela has also been in strong form, registering nine times in 26 appearances, and the 34-year-old should play off the right, with Stipe Biuk starting off the left for the visitors.
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Jesus, Ibeagha, Tafari, Farfan; Smith, Quignon, Cerrillo, Junqua; Velasco, Ferreira
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Hollingshead, Maldonado, Sanchez, Palacios; Cifuentes, Crisostomo, Bogusz; Vela, Bouanga, Biuk
We say: Dallas 1-2 Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles will be determined to return to winning ways after the disappointment of their defeat to Vancouver, and we are backing Cherundolo's team to triumph. Dallas are certainly capable of picking up a positive result on Saturday, but we are backing the hosts just to fall short in this contest.
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Top tip
Matt Law
