Two sides who could do well with a win go head to head in MLS as New York Red Bulls play host to Austin FC at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night.
The hosts have picked up just one point from the last 12 available while Verde and Black head into the game without a win in any of their last seven matches across all competitions.
Match preview
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New York Red Bulls were denied a third consecutive victory in the New York Derby as they were held to a goalless draw by local rivals New York City FC on Saturday evening.
A lack of bite in front of goal has been a reoccurring theme for the Red Bulls as they failed to convert their chances before settling for a point at the Yankee Stadium.
The Red Bulls have now failed to win any of their last four matches, picking up one point from a possible 12 since August's 1-0 victory over DC United in their first league outing after their Leagues Cup round-of-16 exit.
With Saturday's result, Troy Lesesne's men have now scored just one goal and failed to find the back of the net in three of their last four outings while conceding seven since scrapping to victory against DC United.
New York Red Bulls have now picked up 30 points from their 28 MLS matches to sit 13th in the Eastern Conference table, five points adrift of the second and final playoffs qualifier spot.
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Like the hosts, Austin FC continue to struggle for results as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Portland Timbers when the sides squared off at the Q2 Stadium on Sunday night.
Despite being on the back foot for most of the game and seeing less than 40% of the ball possession, goals from Felipe Mora and Evander set the Timbers on their way before Sebastian Driussi pulled one back in the 75th minute.
Austin have now failed to win any of their last seven matches across all competitions, picking up one draw and losing six, including consecutive defeats against Mazatlan and Juarez in the Leagues Cup group stages back in July.
This dire run of results has seen Josh Wolff's side drop to 12th place in the Western Conference, three points off the playoff qualifier places, having picked up 33 points from their 28 league matches so far.
While Austin will be looking to arrest their slump, they have struggled for results away from home, where they have managed just three wins across all competitions this season while losing nine and claiming three draws in 15 matches.
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Team News
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New York Red Bulls will take to the pitch without the services of 21-year-old midfielder Steven Sserwadda, who has been out of action since March through a knee injury.
Scottish midfielder Lewis Morgan is currently battling a hip injury and will play no part in Thursday's game while
Serge Ngoma continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines through a hamstring problem.
Having missed Saturday's derby through suspension, Sean Nealis is eligible to feature for the Red Bulls and could return to the starting XI, forming the centre-back duo with Colombian defender Andres Reyes.
As for Austin, Wolff will be unable to call upon the services of Slovenia defender Zan Kolmanic, who has been sidelined since coming off with an ACL injury in April's game against Los Angeles FC.
With his strike against Portland, Driussi has now been involved in 12 goals this season and the Argentine forward should lead the visitors' attack, alongside Emiliano Rigoni and Gyasi Zardes.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Duncan, Reyes, Nealis, Tolkin; Fernandez, Edelman, Amaya, Luquinhas; Barlow, Manoel
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Lima, Cascante, Vaeisaenen, Gallagher; Ring, Wolff, Pereira; Rigoni, Zardes, Driussi
We say: New York Red Bulls 2-1 Austin FC
New York Red Bulls and Austin have struggled to get going in recent weeks and will both head into Thursday's matchup in search of a pick-me-up. Austin's performance on the road has been nothing to write home about and we see the Red Bulls coming out on top at the Red Bull Arena.
How to watch
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Joshua Ojele
