Seeking to snap their run of five consecutive games without a win, Portland Timbers journey to the Lower.com Field to face Columbus Crew on Saturday.
The Crew's last victory against Portland came back in March 2017, when Niko Hansen netted a late winner in a pulsating five-game thriller in front of their home supporters.
Match preview
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Columbus Crew turned in a defensive show of class last Sunday when they held firm to see out a goalless draw against Real Salt Lake at the America First Field.
Prior to that, Wilfried Nancy's men booked their spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals on March 10, when they beat Mexican outfit Tigres UANL on penalties at the Estadio Universitario after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
With last weekend's result, Columbus Crew have now gone four back-to-back MLS games without a win, losing once and playing out three stalemates since a 3-0 victory over New York Red Bulls on March 17.
After two consecutive away games, the Crew now return home, where they are unbeaten in each of their last 14 matches across all competitions, claiming 10 wins and four draws since August's penalty-shootout loss to Minnesota United in the Leagues Cup.
Columbus Crew have picked up three wins and four draws in their opening eight matches to collect 13 points and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference table, level on points with third-placed Philadelphia Union.
Elsewhere, Portland Timbers were left spitting feathers last weekend as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Los Angeles FC when the sides squared off at Providence Park.
In a game where Maxime Crepeau received his marching orders, the hosts took the lead twice in the game courtesy of Felipe Mora and Evander, but Mateusz Bogusz struck twice to force a share of the spoils.
After a solid start to the season, where they picked up six points from their opening three matches, Phil Neville's men have now failed to taste victory in five consecutive games, losing three and claiming two draws since mid-March.
Portland Timbers have picked up nine points from their opening eight MLS matches to sit 10th in the Western Conference table, level on points with 11th-placed Austin FC.
Team News
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Columbus Crew will take to the pitch without Colombian striker Cucho Hernandez, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card against DC United on April 7.
In his absence, 21-year-old Jacen Russell-Rowe should lead the Crew attack this weekend, forming the front three with Taha Habroune and Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi.
On the injury front, Columbus Crew remain without 33-year-old forward Christian Ramirez, who has missed each of the last five matches since sustaining a thigh injury back in March.
As for Portland Timbers, Neville will be unable to name the duo of Zac McGraw and forward Marvin Loria, who are currently recuperating from head and knee injuries respectively.
Croatian defender Dario Zuparic is currently unavailable due to personal reasons while Crepeau is suspended following his red card in last weekend's game against Los Angeles FC.
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Bush; Quinton, Camacho, Amundsen; Arfsten, Zawadzki, Morris, Sands; Habroune, Rossi, Russell-Rowe
Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Pantemis; Mosquera, Araujo, Miller, Bravo; Ayala, Chara; Rodriguez, Evander, Antony; Mora
We say: Columbus Crew 2-1 Portland Timbers
The last five meetings between Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers have produced a combined 21 goals and we anticipate another action-packed contest this weekend. The Crew head into the weekend as the more in-form side and we fancy them to end their winless run in this fixture.
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