Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati return to action in Major League Soccer when they go head to head at Subaru Park on Saturday night.
The Union are currently on a run of six consecutive home wins in the league and will head into the weekend looking to keep the juggernaut rolling.
Match preview
© Reuters
Philadelphia Union returned to winning ways in style as they cruised to a 4-1 victory over 10-man New York Red Bulls when the sides squared off on September 4.
In an action-packed contest at Subaru Park, Jakob Glesnes, Damion Lowe, Julian Carranza and Daniel Gazdag all found the back of the net to condemn the visiting side to a third consecutive defeat.
Prior to that, the Union were denied a fourth MLS victory on the spin as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Toronto FC on August 31, when goals from Lorenzo Insigne, Deandre Kerr and Jonathan Osorio inspired the Reds to all three points.
With the result against New York Red Bulls, Jim Curtin's men have now won six consecutive MLS home games and are unbeaten in their last nine, claiming seven wins and two draws since a 2-1 loss against Orlando City on March 26.
Philadelphia Union have now picked up 14 wins, four draws and lost eight of their 26 MLS matches so far to collect 46 points and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference table, albeit with one game in hand.
© Reuters
FC Cincinnati, on the other hand, were sent crashing back to earth in their last outing before the international break as they fell to a 1-0 loss against Orlando City on September 3.
Despite seeing a bulk of the ball possession and being in the ascendancy for most of the game, Pat Noonan's men were guilty of a lethargic display in front of goal as Facundo Torres netted on the stroke of half time to hand the Lions all three points.
Prior to that, Cincinnati snapped their three-match losing streak on August 27, when they picked up a resounding 3-0 victory over New York City FC, four days before edging out Atlanta United 2-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Despite their defeat against Orlando last time out, the Orange and Blue currently sit top of the Eastern Conference standings with a nine-point cushion over second-placed New England Revolution.
While Cincinnati will be looking to return to winning ways and extend their lead at the top of the table, they journey to Subaru Park where they have failed to win their last six visits, losing four and picking up two draws since May 2019.
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Philadelphia Union will take to the pitch without skipper Alejandro Bedoya, who will serve a one-game suspension after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against the Red Bulls last time out.
In the absence of the veteran midfielder, 23-year-old Jeremy Rafanello could come into the fold, teaming up with fellow American Jack McGlynn in the centre of the park.
On the injury front, Curtin will be unable to call upon German midfielder Leon Flach, who missed the game against New York Red Bulls last time out through an abdominal issue.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati will be without the attacking duo of Arquimides Ordonez and Dominique Badji, who are currently recuperating from leg and muscle injuries respectively.
They are joined on the club's injury table by teenage midfielder Stiven Jimenez, who has been sidelined since June's 3-0 victory over Toronto FC.
Luciano Acosta, who has started 24 of the Orange and Blue's 27 league matches this season, will play no part in this weekend's matchup as he serves a one-game suspension following his booking against Orlando City.
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; McGlynn, Bedoya, Torres, Gazdag; Uhre, Carranza
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Hagglund, Miazga, Murphy; Arias, Nwobodo, Moreno, Barreal; Acosta, Vazquez, Santos
We say: Philadelphia Union 2-1 FC Cincinnati
Philadelphia Union and Cincinnati have enjoyed a solid campaign and find themselves in the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference table. The Union's home record in this fixture makes them slight favourites and we see them claiming all three points in this one.
How to watch
You can watch Philadelphia Union vs. FC Cincinnati and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
