Fresh off the back of a 2-0 defeat in the Hudson River Derby, New York Red Bulls take a trip to the Lower.com Field to square off against Columbus Crew on Saturday.
The Crew, on the other hand, are currently on a run of four consecutive games without a win and will head into the weekend looking to end this dry spell.
Match preview
© Reuters
Columbus Crew were involved in a share of the spoils for the third time in four games as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Portland Timbers when the sides squared off two Sundays ago.
In an action-packed contest in Ohio, Kevin Molino scored his first goal of the season to put the Crew ahead in the 36th minute, but 22-year-old Santiago Moreno restored parity with a dramatic 95th-minute strike.
Prior to that, Caleb Porter's side saw their run of seven consecutive games without defeat come to an end on September 14 when they were beaten 2-1 by Inter Miami at the DRV PNK Stadium.
Columbus Crew, who head into the weekend unbeaten in their last five home games, are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference table, level on 42 points with seventh-placed Inter Miami in the final playoff qualification spot.
© Reuters
Elsewhere, New York Red Bulls failed to return to winning ways when they suffered a 2-0 disappointing defeat against city rivals New York City FC in their most recent outing on September 17.
The game was off to a flyer as Alexander Callens struck in the opening minute to hand the Pigeons the lead before Santiago Rodriguez scored midway through the first half to make sure of the result at the Yankee Stadium.
Prior to that, New York Red Bulls saw their four-game unbeaten run come to an end on September 4 when they were beaten 2-0 by Philadelphia Union before claiming a hard-earned 2-1 victory over New England Revolutions six days later.
Gerhard Struber's men, who are currently on a run of four wins and two draws from their last six away games since the start of July, sit third in the Eastern Conference standings after picking up 50 points from 32 games.
Next up for New York Red Bulls is the challenge of an opposing side who are unbeaten in 13 of the last 20 meetings between the teams, claiming eight wins and five draws in that time.
Team News
© Reuters
Columbus Crew will be without skipper Jonathan Mensah, who missed the game against Portland Timbers last time out after coming off injured just before half time against Inter Miami two weeks ago.
In has absence, Josh Williams should form a centre-back pairing with Australia international Milos Degenek for the second consecutive game, while Aidan Morris and Darlington Nagbe should combine in the centre of the park once again.
Trinidad and Tobago international Molino opened his account for the season with his strike against Portland Timbers last time out and the veteran forward should retain his role at the attacking end of the pitch.
He should be joined in the final third by 23-year-old Luis Diaz, who has provided five assists this season, and former Watford striker Cucho Hernandez, who is one goal away from taking his tally to 10 for the season.
Meanwhile, New York Red Bulls will take to the pitch without the attacking duo of Patryk Klimala and Cameron Harper, who have been sidelined through ankle and muscle injuries respectively.
Fellow attacker Zachary Ryan has been out of action since sustaining a shoulder injury in July's friendly against Barcelona, while teenager Serge Ngoma continues his spell on the sidelines through a hamstring problem.
With 14 goals to his name this season, Lewis Morgan has shouldered the goalscoring responsibilities of the Red Bulls this season and the former Celtic man will be one to keep an eye out for.
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Room; Moreira, Williams, Degenek, Sands; Nagbe, Artur; Junior, Zelarrayan, Molino; Hernandez
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Nealis, Long, Duncan; Clark, Casseres Jr, Edelman, Tolkin; Luquinhas, Morgan, Manoel
We say: Columbus Crew 1-2 New York Red Bulls
New York Red Bulls have suffered a slump in recent weeks as they have managed three points from the last nine available. However, they will be backing themselves against a Columbus Crew side who are without a win in their last four outings. We predict a cagey affair at the Lower.com Field, with the visitors claiming a slender victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
