Battling for the title of the best outfit in the Western Conference, St Louis City welcome Los Angeles FC to CITYPARK on Wednesday night in MLS.
The hosts are currently three matches without a win but are still favourites to finish on top of the West, while Los Angeles are coming into this clash following a resounding success in El Trafico on the weekend.
Match preview
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St Louis City are now three matches without a win thanks to a 1-1 draw at Shell Energy Stadium against Houston Dynamo on Saturday evening, and it could have been a whole lot worse for the Western Conference leaders in Texas.
After a lacklustre first-half showing from the visitors, Corey Baird's seventh MLS goal of the term had Ben Olsen's men ahead, but an 87th-minute equaliser from Brazilian Joao Klauss forced a share of the spoils.
Since exiting the Leagues Cup at the group stage courtesy of away defeats to Columbus Crew and Mexican outfit America, Bradley Carnell's side have struggled to extend their lead in the West, winning just two of their six MLS contests since the league's return on August 21.
St Louis sit top of the Western Conference standings - six points ahead of Wednesday's opponents in second - but a push for the Supporters' Shield looks unlikely after a run of one win their last five games, meaning FC Cincinnati now possess a nine-point buffer over the 2023 expansion club.
Key to St Louis' offensive threat this term has been 23-year-old Nicholas Gioacchini, with the American enjoying a breakthrough season in first-team football, netting 10 goals in 27 appearances in 2023.
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Los Angeles FC halted a run of three successive defeats in the best possible fashion on Saturday evening, earning a thrilling 4-2 victory over fierce rivals LA Galaxy at BMO Stadium.
Despite Greg Vanney's Galaxy struggling at the foot of the Western Conference and having only a slight chance of reaching the post-season playoffs, LAFC faced a difficult challenge against their neighbours but ultimately came out on top, with Gabon international Denis Bouanga bagging a brilliant brace.
Now on the hunt for back-to-back wins in MLS since successes over Sporting Kansas City and Seattle Sounders in late June, Steve Cherundolo's men must overcome a St Louis City side who have been the standout performers in the West to date.
Like the majority of sides across the division, LAFC are a less threatening force on the road compared to in front of their home faithful, with only 13 of their 43 MLS points coming away from BMO Stadium in the 2023 season.
Last term's MLS may not possess the attacking talent of Gareth Bale in their ranks anymore, but the aforementioned Bouanga and Carlos Vela have continued to shine brightly in California, scoring a combined 23 league goals.
Team News
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St Louis City are expected to be without the services of Swede Rasmus Alm until the middle of October due to a groin injury, with the 28-year-old playing a key role for the hosts on the right flank so far this term.
Better news arrives in the form of striker Samuel Adeniran, who is available for selection again after serving his one-match suspension for collecting a red card in the draw at LA Galaxy on September 11.
The return of the 24-year-old could see Carnell revert to a front two of Adeniran and Klauss, meaning one of Jared Stroud, Aziel Jackson or Celio Pompeu could drop to the bench on Wednesday.
Los Angeles have no fresh injury concerns following on hotly-contested El Trafico on the weekend, so former Juventus man Giorgio Chiellini should partner American Aaron Long in the visitors' backline.
Ex-Bayern Munich youngster Timothy Tillman made a goalscoring impact from the bench last time out, and the German could be rewarded with a starting berth alongside Ilie Sanchez and Kellyn Acosta in the engine room.
Right-back Ryan Hollingshead has made the net ripple in successive matches and now has four goals in the 2023 season - the 32-year-old is once again proving to be quite the offensive threat from full-back.
St Louis City possible starting lineup:
Burki; Nerwinski, Parker, Nilsson, Markanich; Lowen, Blom, Pompeu, Stroud; Klauss, Adeniran
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Hollingshead, Long, Chiellini, Palacios; Acosta, Sanchez, Tillman; Olivera, Bouanga, Vela
We say: St Louis City 1-1 Los Angeles FC
St Louis have essentially secured their playoff berth which may explain a drop in form lately, but we believe they will be a stern test for the visiting LAFC on Wednesday night.
It is often difficult to replicate the energy levels after such an emotionally-draining victory against your rivals, although we feel that Cherundolo's men will be good enough for a point in this one.
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