The latest round of matches in the 2022 Major League Soccer season sees Colorado Rapids and Dallas go head-to-head at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday.
Having both suffered defeats in their respective most recent outings, the teams will be aiming to return to winning ways as soon as possible.
Match preview
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Colorado Rapids were underwhelming away from home once again as they suffered a 4-1 thrashing against Los Angeles Galaxy at the Dignity Health Sports Park two Sundays ago.
Two goals from Gaston Brugman either side of strikes from Raheem Edwards and Javier Hernandez left Robin Fraser's men with a mountain to climb before Sam Nicholson grabbed a late consolation.
The Denver-based outfit have dropped to 11th place in the Western Conference, six points adrift of the last playoff place with just two games left to play in the regular season.
Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing side with little to choose between the teams, as the last seven meetings have yielded three wins apiece and one stalemate.
Unbeaten in seven matches on home turf leading up to this weekend's contest, Saturday's hosts go in search of a much-needed three points to help preserve their already faint hopes of qualifying for the postseason.
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FC Dallas were on the receiving end of a comprehensive 3-0 defeat versus Mexican side Tigres in a friendly match at the Toyota Stadium on Saturday.
Nico Estevez's men fell behind to Jesus Garza's opener after which second-half goals from Juan Vigon and Florian Thauvin put the contest to bed.
Prior to that, the Burn were held to a 1-1 draw against San Jose Earthquakes in their last league involvement, which saw them remain third in the Western Conference.
Currently on a run of just one win in their last five matches on the road, Saturday's visitors set out to clinch their playoff place before wrapping up their regular season campaign against Sporting Kansas City next weekend.
Team News
Dantouma Toure, Aboubacar Keita and Braian Galvan are all ruled with ruptured cruciate ligaments, but the latter is drawing increasingly closer to a return to action.
Oliver Tarraz is sidelined with a fractured tibia, while 18-year-old Jackson Travis has made just seven appearances this term due to an abdominal muscle injury.
Dallas' Paul Arriola received a straight red card in the stalemate against San Jose Earthquakes, making him ineligible to take part in this one.
Jesus Ferreira was at the double in the most recent clash between Saturday's opponents, and the American will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Beitashour, Wilson, Abubakar, Rosenberry; Gutierrez, Price; Nicholson, Rubio, Lewis; Zardes
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Farfan, Antonio, Burgess, Twumasi; Lletget, Cerrillo, Pomykal; Ferreira, Jara, Obrian
We say: Colorado Rapids 2-1 Dallas
With their playoff ambitions on the line, the onus is more on Colorado Rapids to take control of proceedings and ensure that the home crowd get their money's worth. We are tipping them to come away with the victory at the sound of the final whistle in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Adepoju Marvellous
