Minnesota United saw their momentum halted following a first defeat in four matches last time out and will go in search of an immediate response when they welcome St Louis City to Allianz Field on Sunday.
For the away side, securing a first league win in 10 matches is the major objective this weekend as they look to kickstart what has been a largely underwhelming campaign to date.
Match preview
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Unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 matches, Minnesota United headed to the Shell Energy Stadium on Thursday to lock horns with Houston Dynamo, who had lost their last two league matches by a combined score of 5-1.
Eric Ramsay's men were duly punished for an abysmal first-half display courtesy of Pablo Ortiz's stoppage-time strike before Felipe Andrade put the seal on proceedings 13 minutes from the end of normal time.
Missing out on the opportunity to move into second in the Western Conference, the Loons remain third with 22 points from 13 matches, three fewer than they had at this same stage last season en route to a sixth-place finish.
Minnesota's no-show in front of goal last time out was only their fourth blank in the last 18 matches, which would have also come as a surprise to many off the back of a stunning 4-1 victory over Inter Miami in the week prior.
In the first of two straight encounters against Sunday's visitors, the hosts will be keen to continue their impressive record in this fixture having won three of the previous four editions before the sides meet again in the US Open Cup four days later.
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Eight points from a possible 12 alongside four straight clean sheets definitely represented a bright start to St Louis City's domestic campaign, but things have since taken a downward spiral two months down the line.
Olof Mellberg's men were beaten in each of the subsequent four matches to kick off a dismal winless league run—either side of a 2-0 cup victory over Union Omaha—which currently stands at nine matches.
However, things could have easily turned out differently for STL last time out where Celio Pompeu and Cedric Teuchert struck in the first half to hand the team from Missouri a seemingly commanding lead before Tim Leibold and Dejan Joveljic netted six minutes apart in the second half to level matters.
With just seven goals scored and a whopping 16 conceded dating back to March 23, deficiencies at both ends of the pitch have culminated in St Louis' dry patch ahead of their return to away duty, where they have not won since thrashing defending champions Los Angeles Galaxy earlier in the season.
Despite his side's current struggles, Mellberg has insisted that the mood remains boisterous within the St Louis City camp, and it is now up to Sunday's visitors to provide a big performance on the road this weekend.
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Team News
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Twenty-four-year-old Joseph Rosales is ineligible to take part for Minnesota due to a suspension, while Anthony Markanich and Kipp Keller remain out with muscle and thigh injuries respectively.
Hassani Dotson has endured an injury-plagued campaign so far, featuring just five times for the hosts, and will also sit out his side's upcoming clash alongside Owen Gene (ankle).
South Korea international Sang-bin Jeong was at the double the last time Sunday's hosts faced the visitors, but he is yet to open his account for the current campaign.
Midfielders Eduard Lowen and Chris Durkin are both nearing a return to action, although their availability for St Louis City here continues to hang firmly in the balance.
Rasmus Alm is set to miss a fifth straight game through a hip injury and is one of three confirmed absentees for the away side who are already without Tomas Totland and Alfredo Morales.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St Clair; Chandler, Padelford, Duggan, Diaz, Taylor; Jung, Gressel, Trapp; Jeong, Yeboah
St Louis City possible starting lineup:
Burki; Hiebert, Yaro, Baumgartl, Watts; Ostrak, Wallem, Hartel; Teuchert, Klauss, Pompeu
We say: Minnesota United 3-1 St Louis City
Minnesota United have got the better of this fixture of late and are the more in-form team heading into Sunday's game, and as a result, we are backing the home side to cruise to a routine win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
