New England Revolution will be hoping to make it two home wins in the space of a week when they host DC United at the Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening.
The hosts are second in the Eastern Conference following a victory against Atlanta United on Wednesday night, while the visitors are currently sitting in eighth place.
Match preview
© Reuters
New England Revolution have picked up 40 points in 22 MLS games so far this season, the second-highest amount of any team, but they are still eight points behind league-leaders FC Cincinnati.
The Revs are keeping the pressure on, having lost just one of their last nine league games, but they have started to draw more regularly than they would have liked, having been held against the likes of Chicago Fire and New York City FC.
However, Bruce Arena's side should be heading into Saturday's encounter full of confidence, as they have been impeccable on home soil in recent weeks, winning their last four matches at the Gillette Stadium.
The most recent of those came against Atlanta United on Wednesday evening, recording a 2-1 courtesy of goals from Matt Polster and Giacomo Vrioni inside the opening 10 minutes.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season, New England emerged as 2-1 winners at Audi Field, with 18-year-old Noel Buck striking late to secure all three points, following an equaliser from Gustavo Bou early in the second half.
DC United were disappointing that day, and they are still struggling to put a decent run of form together in the MLS, having failed to win consecutive games since way back in April.
In a home match against Inter Miami last time out, the Black and Red were presented with a golden opportunity to follow up a 1-0 win at FC Dallas, but they were held to a 2-2 draw after going behind twice.
Goals from Taxiarchis Fountas and Nigel Robertha ensured Wayne Rooney's side took something from the game, but the manager will be disappointed they were unable to record a victory at home against the bottom-of-the-table side.
DC United are still in a solid position to qualify for the MLS playoffs as things stand, currently sitting in eighth place, four points above 10th-placed CF Montreal, but they have played one more games than the four sides immediately below them.
As such, the Black and Red will be keen to create some more breathing room, and they are now tasked with winning their second away game on the spin, with Fountas's second-half effort securing a victory at Dallas in their last away trip.
Team News
© Reuters
New England Revolution have a number of players still missing with various injury issues, including Dylan Borrero, who misses out with a knee problem, and fellow midfielder Lucas Maciel, with the Brazilian suffering with an Achilles tendon injury.
In defence, Christian Makoun will be unavailable for selection once again, having missed the last five games, with Henry Kessler also set to miss out, having been suffering with a muscle injury since the beginning of April.
Carles Gil is the Revs' main attacking threat, with the 30-year-old amassing seven goals and 10 assists already this season, and the Spaniard is set to play in an advanced midfield role, just behind Vrioni.
DC United have their fair share of absentees, with midfielder Martin Rodriguez still out, having failed to play a single game so far this season, with Theodore Ku-DiPietro also missing.
Left-winger Pedro Santos missed the last match, and the 35-year-old is set to remain on the treatment table, with Cristian Dajome likely to keep his place in the side.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Bye, Farrell, Romney, Spaulding; Harkes, Polster, Rennicks, Gil, Bou; Vrioni
DC United possible starting lineup:
Miller; Palsson, Williams, Pines; Najar, Canouse, O'Brien, Dajome, Asad; Benteke, Fountas
We say: New England Revolution 2-0 DC United
New England Revolution have been one of the best teams in the MLS this season, while DC United have struggled to put together a consistent run of form.
As such, we expect the hosts to emerge as comfortable winners, keeping the pressure on top-of-the-table FC Cincinnati.
How to watch
You can watch New England Revolution vs. DC United and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
