Two sides who have blown hot and cold this term will lock horns in matchday six of the 2024-25 MLS season as Minnesota United play host to Real Salt Lake on Sunday.
Neither team managed to come away with all three points from their most recent outings, and they will both be keen to get back on track with a victory this weekend.
Match preview
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Minnesota United recovered splendidly from an opening-day defeat against Los Angeles FC to claim wins over CF Montreal and San Jose Earthquakes in their next two clashes to make it six points from the first nine available.
Eric Ramsay's men have since played out consecutive stalemates against Sporting Kansas City and, most recently, defending champions Los Angeles Galaxy, following Saturday's 2-2 thriller at Allianz Field.
Kelvin Yeboah's early opener was cancelled out by Christian Ramirez, and after Yeboah grabbed his second of the day from the spot three minutes shy of full time, the points looked set to remain in Saint Paul before Carlos Garces netted a 90th-minute equaliser.
A tally of eight points from five encounters this term has left the Loons currently occupying sixth place in the Western Conference standings, albeit just four points adrift of division leaders Vancouver Whitecaps.
Having not gone three straight MLS matches without a victory since July, Minnesota United will be confident of returning to winning ways, and their record against this weekend's opponents certainly offers cause for optimism off the back of no defeats from the last seven editions of this fixture.
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Due to their involvement in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Real Salt Lake saw their pre-season journey end prematurely courtesy of clashes against Herediano either side of their league curtain-raiser against San Jose Earthquakes.
Suffering disappointment on both of the aforementioned fronts, Pablo Mastroeni's men showed great resilience to secure a 2-0 triumph over Seattle Sounders at the start of March as they looked to get their campaign up and running.
Any momentum from the Claret and Cobalt's victory over Seattle Sounders was quickly deflated by a 3-1 defeat to San Diego FC, but they wasted no time getting back in the win column by beating Houston Dynamo 2-1 before falling to yet another against FC Dallas last time out.
With a clash against Los Angeles Galaxy to follow Sunday's affair, the away side now set out to lay down an early marker via a dominant display here against the team that knocked them out of last season's playoffs.
Currently with the worst defensive record away from home of any Western Conference side so far, Real Salt Lake will need to be on song at the back if they are to secure a first win in Minnesota from the most recent six attempts.
Team News
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Matthew Bell and Zac MacMath are unavailable for Real Salt Lake through hamstring and back injuries respectively, while Tommy Silva is out with a muscle problem.
The away side will also be without the services of Australian forward Ariath Piol, who is ineligible to feature here after he was sent off against Dallas FC last time out.
In Piol's absence, Tyler Wolff could be set for a return to the starting lineup after having to settle for second-half cameos in each of the last four matches.
Kelvin Yeboah has netted four times already in five matches for Minnesota United this term, making him one to keep a close watch on in this weekend's encounter.
Hassani Dotson was hauled off with an injury in his side's draw against LA Galaxy, and the midfielder is currently in a race against time to be passed fit for this one.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Smir; Hlongwane, Duggan, Romero, Diaz, Markanich; Gene, Pereyra, Trapp; Yeboah, Jeong
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
Cabral; Junqua, Glad, Quinton, Ramirez; Palacio, Ojeda; Goncalves, Ruiz, Wolff; Ajago
We say: Minnesota United 3-2 Real Salt Lake
Both teams have been significantly porous in defence of late, and we expect that to translate to a goalfest on Sunday. That said, we are backing the home side to come away with maximum points in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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