Houston Dynamo will look to continue their climb up the Western Conference table when they host struggling Sporting Kansas City at Shell Energy Stadium this weekend.
Ben Olsen's men are unbeaten in their last four MLS outings, winning three of those matches, and they will fancy their chances against a Kansas side currently languishing near the bottom.
Match preview
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It has been a season of two halves so far for Houston, as the Orange endured a dreadful start, failing to win any of their opening six league games, losing four and drawing two.
However, they finally found their rhythm with a narrow 1-0 victory over LAFC, which kick-started a more promising spell.
Since then, Houston have shown improved consistency, a four-match unbeaten streak was briefly halted by back-to-back defeats to Los Angeles and Seattle, but the Dynamo bounced back with another solid run, most recently brushing aside New York Red Bulls 3-0 to register their third win in four games.
Now unbeaten in four, Houston are eyeing a fifth straight game without defeat for the first time this season, and recent history against Sporting Kansas City is also on their side, having gone three matches unbeaten in this fixture, including two victories.
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Sporting KC, meanwhile, remain rooted near the foot of the Western Conference with just three wins from 15 matches, and they sit 13th with only 13 points, a far cry from their former heights under Peter Vermes.
A disastrous opening run of five defeats in their first six games ultimately cost Vermes his job, ending a 15-year tenure. Interim boss Kerry Zavagnin initially steadied the ship, but the Wizards are once again wobbling, winless in their last four matches.
Last time out, Kansas were involved in a chaotic 3-3 draw against New England, and while their attack has produced 22 goals this season, their defence continues to let them down.
With 27 goals conceded, the second-worst in the conference, the visitors face an uphill task to shut out a confident Houston side.
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Team News
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Houston are dealing with three confirmed absences, with the trio of Lawrence Ennali, Nelson Quinones and Andrew Tarbell all out with knee issues.
Erik Sviatchenko and Daniel Steres are also sidelined with lower body injuries, while Junior Urso is doubtful, dealing with the same problem.
Ezequiel Ponce, who was suspended for the win over New York due to accumulated yellow cards, is expected to return.
Sporting have no player on the treatment table for this clash, leaving Zavagnin with a full squad to select from.
Devan Jolvejic led the line last out, and he grabbed a goal from the spot, which would be enough to retain his place for this game.
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Bond; Escobar, Awodesu, Bartlow, Andrade; Raines, Urso, Duenas; Lodeiro,Segal, McGlynn
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
St Clair; Boxall, Romero, Diaz; Hlongwane, Harvey, Trapp, Markanich; Pereyra, Lod; Oluwaseyi
We say: Houston Dynamo 2-0 Sporting Kansas City
With form, home advantage and momentum in their favour, Houston Dynamo are well placed to pile more misery on a Kansas side that just cannot seem to find its footing in this campaign, which is why we are predicting an efficient victory for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
