Seeking to pick up a fifth consecutive victory and extend their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, Philadelphia Union play host to Houston Dynamo at the Subaru Park on Sunday.
The Orange Crush head into the weekend winless in each of their last five away games against Jim Curtin's side and will be looking to end this dry spell.
Match preview
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Philadelphia Union were made to work their socks off last time out as they had to grind out a slender 1-0 victory against a dogged Orlando City side last Sunday.
In a cagey affair at the Exploria Stadium, Hungary international Daniel Gazdag delivered the goods once again as he scored the only goal of the game six minutes before the half-time break.
Jim Curtin's men have now won each of their last four outings, scoring 12 goals and conceding twice since playing out a goalless draw with Columbus Crew at the Lower.com Field Stadium on July 4.
With 42 points from 22 games, Philadelphia Union are currently top of the Eastern Conference standings with a one-point cushion over second-placed New York City FC, who have one game in hand.
The U head into the weekend as the only side unbeaten at home in the conference, claiming six wins and five draws in their 11 matches, and this has been down to the solid job done at the defensive end of the pitch, where they have conceded just six goals and kept five clean sheets at home this season.
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Houston Dynamo, on the other hand, continue to struggle for form on home turf as they were condemned to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Minnesota United last time out.
Despite being on the front foot for most of the game and seeing over 70% of the ball possession, they were forced to rue their chances missed as Franco Fragapane and Bongokuhle Hlongwane put the Loons two goals up before Fafa Picault grabbed an 86th-minute consolation goal.
Houston Dynamo have now failed to taste victory in any of their last three games at the PNC Stadium, claiming one draw and losing twice since June's 2-0 win over Chicago Fire.
The Orange Crush's form on the road is no better either as they have lost five of their last six games across all competitions, with a 2-1 victory away to San Jose Earthquakes on July 18 being the only exception.
Paulo Nagamura's side have picked up seven wins, four draws and lost 11 of their 22 games this season to pick up 25 points and sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, five points above rock-bottom Sporting Kansas City.
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Team News
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Venezuelan midfielder Jose Martinez is a doubt for Philadelphia Union after coming off injured midway through the game against Orlando City last time out.
With his winner in the aforementioned game, Gazdag now has 13 goal involvements this season and we expect the 26-year-old to spearhead the attack, alongside Julian Carranza and Mikael Uhre.
Meanwhile, despite the defeat against Minnesota United last time out, Nagamura could name a similar starting side this weekend, meaning that we could see a back four of Griffin Dorsey, Tim Parker, Teenage Hadebe and Adam Lundqvist.
At the opposite end of the pitch, we should see a front three of Porleifur Ulfarsson, Fafa Picault and veteran forward Darwin Quintero, who has registered seven goals and two assists in 21 appearances this season.
Former Atletico Madrid midfielder Hector Herrera, who has made four appearances since his recent move to the PNC Stadium, should handle business at the centre of the park once again, teaming up with Matias Vera and Adalberto Carrasquilla.
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Mbaizo, Elliott, Glesnes, Wagner; McGlynn, Martinez, Flach; Gazdag, Uhre, Carranza
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Dorsey, Hadebe, Parker, Lundqvist; Carrasquilla, Vera, Herrera; Picault, Quintero, Ulfarsson
We say: Philadelphia Union 3-1 Houston Dynamo
Philadelphia Union head into the weekend as one of the most in-form sides in the MLS, claiming 13 points from the last 15 available. They take on an out-of-sorts Houston Dynamo side, who have managed just one win from their last six outings. We predict that the hosts will maintain their fine run of results and claim all three points once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
