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[monks data]
Real Salt Lake
Major League Soccer
Sep 18, 2022 at 2.30am UK
Rio Tinto Stadium
FC Cincinnati

Salt Lake
1 - 2
Cincinnati

Chang (35')
Savarino (61')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Brenner (44', 76')
Hagglund (33')

Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Real Salt Lake and FC Cincinnati, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two sides looking to clinch MLS playoff places will face off on Saturday when Real Salt Lake welcome FC Cincinnati to American First Field.

The hosts currently sit in seventh position in the Western Conference, while sixth place in the Eastern Conference is occupied by Cincinnati.


Match preview

Real Salt Lake keeper Zac MacMath on September 10, 2022© Reuters

Real Salt Lake are just three points clear of eighth-placed LA Galaxy, who boast one game in hand over Pablo Mastroeni's side.

Not only will Mastroeni be concerned by the chasing pack, but he is also challenged with turning around Real Salt Lake's poor run of form.

They have only won on three occasions in their last 15 matches, while they are also winless in their previous three games.

A 3-0 away defeat to Austin in midweek would have done nothing to lift the mood around the squad ahead of their three final regular-season fixtures.

Saturday's visitors can at least take confidence from the fact that in the only previous meeting between the two sides in 2019, they clinched a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Brenner celebrates scoring for FC Cincinnati on September 10, 2022© Reuters

Meanwhile, Cincinnati are also only three points clear of Inter Miami, who sit just outside the Eastern Conference playoffs.

In contrast to their hosts, the Orange and Blue are enjoying a nine-game unbeaten run, although only three of those matches have yielded a victory.

Despite finding it tough to convert draws into victories, Saturday's visitors do have momentum in their favour after thrashing San Jose Earthquakes 6-0 last weekend.

Brenner starred with a hat-trick, while Alvaro Barreal, Luciano Acosta and Yuya Kubo all grabbed a goal apiece to wrap up a comprehensive win.

While Cincinnati have won consecutive home games, they enter Saturday's contest off the back of a seven-game winless away run, although their last three away trips have all ended level.

Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • L

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • W


Team News

Andrew Brody in action for Real Salt Lake on August 6, 2022© Reuters

Real Salt Lake are unable to call upon the services of Bobby Wood, Damir Kreilach and Zack Farnsworth, who are all sidelined with injury issues.

After playing in midweek, Mastroeni could decide to rotate his side for Saturday's contest, which could result in starting places for Justin Meram, Jasper Loffelsend, and Maikel Chang.

Sergio Cordova will also return to the lineup, with the forward looking to add to the eight goals he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, they are without Kenneth Vermeer due to an abdominal injury, while Beckham Sunderland is a doubt for Saturday's contest.

Geoff Cameron will serve a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation, which could mean Ian Murphy is given a place in the starting lineup.

Despite coming off the bench to score last weekend, Kubo will have to settle for a place amongst the substitutes, with Pat Noonan set to name an unchanged side.

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Herrare, Silva, Glad, Brody; Chang, Ruiz, Loffelsend, Meram; Savarino, Cordova

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Powell, Hagglund, Murphy, Miazga, Barreal; Nwobodo, Moreno, Acosta; Vazquez, Brenner


SM words green background

We say: Real Salt Lake 1-1 FC Cincinnati

Real Salt Lake have drawn two of their previous three home games, while Cincinnati's last away games have ended all square and as a result, we think the two sides will play out a draw on Saturday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:curl


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Written by
Ben Sully

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Game History

How you voted: Salt Lake vs Cincinnati

Real Salt Lake
Draw
FC Cincinnati
Real Salt Lake
33.3%
Draw
33.3%
FC Cincinnati
33.3%
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Charlotte FCCharlotte FC9612167919
2FC CincinnatiCincinnati96121311219
3Inter MiamiInter Miami8530136718
4Columbus Crew9531127518
5Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia9513169716
6Orlando City93421512313
7Nashville SCNashville94141211113
8Chicago Fire93331615112
9New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls9333109112
10New York City FCNY City93241113-211
11New England RevolutionNew England831467-110
12Atlanta UnitedAtlanta92341116-59
13DC United92341119-89
14Toronto9144813-57
15CF MontrealMontreal9036413-93

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver96211761120
2Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd9441117416
3Austin FCAustin951378-116
4Portland TimbersPortland94321613315
5Colorado RapidsColorado94321313015
6Los Angeles FCLos Angeles94141314-113
7Seattle SoundersSeattle93331211112
8Dallas93331011-112
9San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes93151917210
10St Louis City923456-19
11Real Salt LakeSalt Lake9306814-69
12Sporting Kansas CityKansas92161519-47
13Houston DynamoHouston9144814-67
14Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy9036616-103
15San Diego FC00000000


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