Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew square off in MLS on Saturday night battling for top spot in the Eastern Conference table.
There are just two points separating the teams, the visitors sitting in first place having lost just one of their 11 games.
Match preview
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Philadelphia Union have been somewhat of a mixed bag this season, producing winning streaks and runs without success since the end of February.
Nevertheless, it is their two instances of three successive victories that have ensured that they sit in second position in the standings at this point.
Last time out in MLS, they avoided the embarrassment of being held by winless Montreal with an 84th-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory, building on previous triumphs over Atlanta United and DC United by 3-0 scorelines.
Bradley Carnell will be of increasing confidence that this side can finish in the MLS playoffs, a considerable improvement from their 12th-placed effort in the Eastern Conference in 2024.
The head coach will be expecting a better showing than on Wednesday night, however, after the Union only overcame Indy Eleven on penalties in the US Open Cup having initially been held to a 1-1 draw at Subaru Park.
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As for Columbus Crew, they will have had the week off by the time that they take to the pitch at the same venue bidding to assert some dominance over the chasing pack.
Losing 1-0 at home to Inter Miami is the only blot on their copybook but they have since responded with wins over San Jose Earthquakes and Charlotte FC.
That has given Wilfried Nancy's team a two-point lead as it stands, yet Inter Miami are in line to go top if they prevail in their game in hand.
Only four of the Crew's 11 fixtures have taken place on their travels, albeit Nancy's team putting together a record of three wins and one draw with just the three goals conceded.
This will be the first time since April 14 that they have played an away encounter in MLS.
Team News
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Mikael Uhre is pushing for a recall to the Philadelphia starting lineup having come off the substitutes' bench to score the winner at Montreal.
Chris Donovan is likely to drop down to the substitutes' bench, with Bruno Damiani also expected to remain among the replacements.
Although Columbus Crew were far from convincing in beating Charlotte by a 4-2 scoreline last time out, Nancy may not necessarily make changes.
Ten of the squad have started at least eight of their 11 league games, highlighting that Nancy prefers continuity over rotation.
Last time out, Diego Rossi and Jacen Russell-Rowe took their respectively goal tallies to six and four, while Max Arfsten recorded his third assist.
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Westfield, Glesnes, Makhanya, Wagner; Sullivan, Jacques, Lukic, Vassilev; Uhre, Baribo
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Zawadzki, Cheberko; Farsi, Chambost, Nagbe, Arfsten; Rossi, Russell-Lowe, Jackson
We say: Philadelphia Union 1-1 Columbus Crew
With both teams currently on winning streaks, we expect a competitive match between sides full of confidence. With that in mind, a low-scoring draw could materialise, a result that would suit both at this stage of the season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
