Only a point separates Vancouver Whitecaps and Minnesota United in the MLS Eastern Conference, with the two sides set to face each other at BC Place on Wednesday.
Both sides occupy playoff places, but they are far from secure with Vancouver Whitecaps occupying the seventh and final playoff position, while their opponents sit a place higher in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Match preview
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Vancouver head into Wednesday in seventh place, but they are only two points clear of Real Salt Lake, who have a game in hand.
Therefore, the midweek clash with Minnesota is crucial if Vancouver are to remain in the playoffs, and they enter the encounter in the midst of a three-match unbeaten run.
In fact, the Caps have only lost once in their last eight fixtures and, in their most recent outing, they drew 1-1 with San Jose Earthquakes.
In that fixture, Vancouver would have been hoping for three points, when Bruno Gaspar opened the scoring, but Benjamin Kikanovic equalised to ensure the spoils were shared.
Vanni Sartini will be confident that his side can get a win on Wednesday, with Vancouver winning seven of their previous 10 home games, and they have only suffered one home defeat in that period.
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Minnesota will be aware that a win away to Vancouver on Wednesday would help cement their place in the playoffs, and like their opponents, they enter the fixture unbeaten in their last three contests.
After beating Austin FC 1-0 and edging out Philadelphia Union thanks to a 3-2 scoreline, Minnesota hosted Los Angeles FC at the weekend.
In that encounter, Minnesota went behind with Cristian Arango scoring for the visitors, before Osvaldo Alonso equalised to ensure his side took a point.
Wednesday's visitors have been in fine goalscoring form of late, netting in seven of their last eight games but five of those encounters were at home.
That will be a concern for head coach Adrian Heath, with Minnesota only scoring two goals in their last five away matches.
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Team News
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Tosaint Ricketts and Andy Rose are both unavailable for the Caps, with the pair out with calf problems.
Caio Alexandre is also still missing for the hosts with an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, Jake Nerwinski was dropped for the weekend encounter with San Jose Earthquakes, but the defender is likely to return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.
Minnesota will have Romain Metanire back available after serving a one-match suspension, and he will come back into the starting lineup.
Metanire's return will see Hassani Dotson move from right-back to the more familiar surroundings of midfield.
Robin Lod came into the starting lineup against Los Angeles FC, and the Finnish international is set to keep his place in the side.
Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Nerwinski, Veselinovic, Jungwirth; Gaspar, Teibert, Owusu, Dajome; Gauld, White, Caicedo
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Miller; Metanire, Boxall, Dibassy, Gasper; Trapp, Dotson, Reynoso; Lod, Fragapane, Hunou
We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 Minnesota United
It is difficult to choose between the two teams, with both sides so close in the standings, and with only three games remaining in the regular season no side will want to lose this encounter, which is why we think it will end all square.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Vancouver Whitecaps win with a probability of 45.78%. A win for Minnesota United had a probability of 28.65% and a draw had a probability of 25.6%.
The most likely scoreline for a Vancouver Whitecaps win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.66%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.19%) and 2-0 (8.06%). The likeliest Minnesota United win was 0-1 (8.04%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.15%). The actual scoreline of 2-1 was predicted with a 9.2% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Vancouver Whitecaps would win this match.
