In-form sides Houston Dynamo and Charlotte FC will do battle at the Shell Energy Stadium in round 21 of the 2024 Major League Soccer season.
The hosts are currently on a run of five matches without defeat, while their visitors have lost just one of 10 games heading into this one.
Match preview
© Reuters
Houston Dynamo ran out emphatic 4-1 winners against DC United in Saturday's largely one-sided affair at the Audi Field in Washington.
Ben Olsen's men went into the interval trailing to Christian Benteke's opener after which Sebastian Ferreira's second-half treble and a Gabriel Segal strike turned the game on its head.
As a result, El Naranja have moved up to seventh place in the Western Conference of the MLS table, albeit ahead of Austin FC only on goal difference in the race for the final guaranteed playoff spot.
Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who came out on top in both of the previous editions of this fixture back in 2022.
Despite their recent resurgence, Sunday's hosts have only won one of their last six matches on home turf and will be keen to get going in front of their fans.
© Reuters
Charlotte got the better of Philadelphia Union in a relatively comfortable 2-0 triumph when the teams went head-to-head at Subaru Park on Saturday.
Off the back of a drab opening half, Dean Smith's men broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half through Patrick Agyemang who made the game safe with his second just past the hour mark.
With 32 points picked up from 20 matches this term, the Crown sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, nine points adrift of leaders Inter Miami.
Having scored five goals across their last two away matches, Sunday's visitors will be looking to put on another attacking masterclass on enemy territory.
Team News
Houston's Nelson Quinones is still ruled out with a long-term injury, which he picked up on international duty with the Colombia Under-23s.
Off the back of an impressive hat-trick last time out, Sebastian Ferreira will head into this weekend's contest with the wind firmly in his sails.
Thirty-five-year-old Scott Arfield is eligible to return to action for Charlotte after missing the win over Philadelphia Union last time out through suspension.
Forward Patrick Agyemang has been directly involved in each of the visitors' last three goals, making him one to keep an eye on here.
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Steres, Micael, Sviatchenko, Dorsey; Herrera, Artur; Aliyu, Bassi, Blessing; Ferreira
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Uronen, Privett, Malanda, Byrne; Bronico, Westwood; Vargas, Bender, Abada; Agyemang
We say: Houston Dynamo 3-2 Charlotte FC
Both sides have been impressive at the top end of the pitch of late which should give rise to an entertaining affair here. That said, we are just about tipping Houston Dynamo to emerge victorious in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
