Los Angeles FC will be looking to end their four-game winless run in Major League Soccer with a victory on Sunday when they host an in-form Colorado Rapids side.
Bob Bradley's side have yet to lose at the Banc of California Stadium, while the visitors are yet to suffer defeat or concede a goal on their travels.
Match preview
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LAFC's difficult start to their 2021 campaign continued last weekend as they were beaten 2-0 by league leaders Seattle Sounders.
Second-half strikes from Xavier Arreaga and Brad Smith helped the hosts claim all three points to move four clear at the Western Conference summit, while Bradley's men are sat at the foot of the table, 11 points behind the Sounders after just five games.
After winning their opening match of the season, the Black and Gold have lost two and drawn two of their opening five games, with last weekend's match the first in which they failed to score.
Their last three matches have all been away from home but Sunday's game will be at the Banc of California Stadium, where they have claimed four of their five points this campaign. Since the start of last season, LAFC have collected 27 points at home compared to just five on the road.
Bradley's side have won three of their four meetings against Colorado, including both games in Los Angeles which they won by an aggregate score of 5-1.
Victory on Sunday could see LAFC catapult up the table and move level on points with Houston Dynamo in sixth if they were to lose against Vancouver Whitecaps.
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Colorado claimed their third successive win when they beat Houston Dynamo 3-1 on home soil last weekend.
Samuel Vines broke the deadlock for the Rapids just before the half-hour mark and then Diego Rubio scored on his 28th birthday to double their lead in the 36th minute.
Christian Ramirez pulled one back for the visitors just three minutes later, but Colorado's two-goal cushion was quickly restored in the 42nd minute when Dynamo goalkeeper Marko Maric failed to clear his lines and kicked the ball straight at the on-rushing Cole Bassett, who stuck out a leg and tapped in from close range.
Robin Fraser's team have climbed to fourth in the Western Conference, six points behind league leaders Seattle with a game in hand.
Even though Colorado have played just five matches so far this season, they have used only 12 different players in their starting lineups, with a league-high of nine players starting in every MLS game.
The Rapids have never won four straight MLS matches in the regular season since they did between July and August back in 2003, but a victory on Sunday could see them move into the top two if LA Galaxy were to lose against Portland Timbers.
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Team News
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LAFC right-back Erik Duenas is ruled out with an ankle injury, while Mohamed Traore has yet to fully recover from a knee problem that has kept him out all season.
Bradley has missed the presence of key forward Carlos Vela, who has played just 42 minutes so far this campaign due to injury.
The hosts will be hoping they can rely on the talented Mexican this weekend, who scored a hat-trick in the last meeting against Colorado in October 2019.
He could be joined in attack by Diego Rossi and Corey Baird, while Mark-Anthony Kaye, Latif Blessing and Eduard Atuesta are set to provide support from midfield.
As for Colorado, winger Braian Galvan and right-back Steven Beitashour remain unavailable for selection with unspecified injuries.
Fraser may decide to name the same starting lineup that beat Houston, which would see Andre Shinyashiki and Michael Barrios play on the flanks with Rubio leading the line once again.
Goalkeeper William Yarbrough has started every game this season ahead of former first-choice stopper Clint Irwin, and he is set to keep his place in the side on Sunday.
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Sisniega; Blackmon, Murillo, Segura, Palacios; Atuesta, Blessing, Kaye; Baird, Rossi, Vela
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Rosenberry, Wilson, Trusty, Vines; Acosta, Price; Shinyashiki, Bassett, Barrios; Rubio
We say: Los Angeles FC 1-1 Colorado Rapids
Colorado head into this game full of confidence after winning each of their last three MLS matches and will fancy their chances of securing another victory on Sunday.
However, LAFC are desperate to turn their form around and are sure to come out fighting at the Banc of California Stadium.
If Vela is fit to feature for the hosts then he is sure to cause a threat in the final third, but that may not be enough to secure all three points against the in-form visitors.
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 Los Angeles FC win with a probability of 53.14%. A win for Colorado Rapids had a probability of 24.15% and a draw had a probability of 22.7%.
The most likely scoreline for a Los Angeles FC win was 2-1 with a probability of 9.76%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-0 (8.93%) and 2-0 (8.28%). The likeliest Colorado Rapids win was 1-2 (6.21%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (10.53%). The actual scoreline of 2-1 was predicted with a 9.8% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted a 2-1 win for Los Angeles FC in this match.
