Thursday, July 17

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Sports Mole previews Sunday's MLS Playoffs clash between Houston Dynamo and Philadelphia Union, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Fighting to stay at the top of the MLS tree in this cross-conference clash, high-flying Philadelphia Union will travel to face Houston Dynamo at the Shell Energy Stadium on Sunday.

La Naranja will be hoping to bounce back from consecutive defeats this weekend, while the Union will be aiming for a third straight victory.

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Match preview

Ben Olsen's Houston thought that their tough start to the summer months was behind them after recording two wins between the end of June and start of July, but having dropped six points in their last two matches, their poor form has resumed.

On Thursday, La Naranja were beaten 3-0 by Vancouver Whitecaps, and while coming up against the second-placed club in the Western Conference was always going to be difficult, the boss will be concerned that his team have now failed to score in back-to-back league games.

That loss saw Olsen's side drop down to 11th in the conference table, and their tally of 26 points leaves them three behind the ninth-placed San Jose Earthquakes and four shy of 10th-placed Austin FC, who occupy the division's playoff spots for the Finals.

In order to avoid falling further behind the top nine this weekend, the hosts will need to defy their disappointing home record that features four defeats and just two wins from their last six matches at the Shell Energy Stadium, and fans will be nervous given the calibre of the visiting opposition.

Three points on Sunday could allow Houston to leapfrog Real Salt Lake and move up to 10th, where they may even find themselves level on 29 with the Earthquakes in a best-case scenario, but walking away empty handed would give 12th-placed Sporting Kansas City the chance to overtake them depending on goal difference.

Meanwhile, fans of Bradley Carnell's Philadelphia have enjoyed an excellent campaign so far, though their lead at the top of the table was reduced when they lost twice in succession against Columbus Crew and Nashville SC a few weeks back.

That being said, the Union have dealt with the pressure commendably, picking up maximum points in a 2-0 triumph over New York Red Bulls on July 13, before getting the better of CF Montreal in a 2-1 win earlier this week.

Those victories have just about kept Carnell's men in first place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Cincinnati, and with a total of 46, they remain at the summit in MLS overall.

Knowing that any slip-up would hand a major opportunity to second-placed Cincinnati and third-placed Nashville, the visitors will be out to prove that their consecutive defeats on the road ahead of this weekend were merely a blip, and will be hoping to return to the type of travelling form that saw them go five unbeaten between May and June, winning four in the process.

A 15th victory of the season would be enough to take Philadelphia four points clear of their rivals, though a third defeat in five games could see them fall down to third.

Houston Dynamo MLS form:

Philadelphia Union MLS form:

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Team News

Houston have no new absentees, though they are still without goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell, who continues to work his way back from a cruciate knee ligament injury.

As a result, expect to see Jonathan Bond start between the sticks, shielded by a back four of Felipe Andrade, Ethan Bartlow, Pablo Ortiz and Franco Escobar.

Up front, left-winger Nelson Quinones is also out with a knee issue, so Olsen should start a trio of Lawrence Ennali, Amine Bassi and Jack McGlynn behind striker Ezequiel Ponce.

As for Philadelphia, Carnell is likely to select the same XI that beat Montreal, featuring striker Tai Barbo supported by Indiana Vassilev and Quinn Sullivan out wide.

Elsewhere, Danley Jean Jacques should be joined by Jovan Lukic at the base of midfield, while Bruno Damiani operates just ahead of them behind the forward line.

Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:

Bond; Andrade, Bartlow, Ortiz, Escobar; Raines, Artur; McGlynn, Bassi, Ennali; Ponce

Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:

Blake; Harriel, Glesnes, Makhanya, Wagner; Jacques, Lukic; Vassilev, Damiani, Sullivan; Baribo

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We say: Houston Dynamo 1-2 Philadelphia Union

 

Houston have been in poor form over recent months, and having avoided defeat just twice in their last six home games, they will find it difficult to keep the MLS leaders at bay.

That being said, Philadelphia have lost back-to-back away matches ahead of Sunday's clash, and taking all three points will not be easy.

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

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