Thursday, July 17

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Sports Mole previews Sunday's MLS Playoffs clash between Real Salt Lake and FC Cincinnati, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two of Major League Soccer's most in-form teams will go head to head at the America First Field on Sunday as Real Salt Lake entertain the challenge of FC Cincinnati.

The hosts have recorded four wins and a draw from their last five matches heading into this weekend's meeting, while the visitors have won all but one of their most recent six matches.

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Match preview

Real Salt Lake could hardly have had a worse start to their league campaign than February's 4-0 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes, which set the tone for a rough opening couple of months.

Pablo Mastroeni's men managed just four wins from their opening 17 matches and were in grave danger of missing out on the postseason for the first time since 2020.

However, a run of 13 points from the next 15 available following Thursday's 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers has gotten Salt Lake's season back on track, thanks in no small part to a resolute backline that has been breached just thrice in that time.

While the Claret and Cobalt still have some work to do to get into the playoff places, they are currently just a point shy of San Jose in ninth, having played one game fewer.

Sunday's hosts follow up this weekend's affair with a clash against San Jose and will be keen to remain within touching distance of their fellow playoff hopefuls.

Cincinnati have a strong case for being the best regular-season team in the Western Conference over the last two seasons as they continue to exceed expectations off the back of finishing bottom in the division on their first three attempts from 2019 to 2021.

Pat Noonan's men made light work of a Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami outfit last time out, cruising to an emphatic 3-0 victory to maintain their near-perfect record since mid-June.

That win saw The Knifey Lions move up to 45 points for the campaign and retain second spot in the West, one point behind Philadelphia Union.

Having seen his charges manage just one clean sheet from their last nine games before Thursday's demolition of Inter Miami, Noonan would have been pleased to see his side keep their opponents at bay.

A major contributing factor to Cincinnati's heroics this term has been their form away from home, where they have picked up more points than any other side, and Sunday's visitors will head to Utah with huge confidence.

Real Salt Lake MLS form:

FC Cincinnati MLS form:

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Team News

Matthew Bell continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines with a muscle issue, while fellow Jamaican Javain Brown is unavailable with a knee problem.

Tyler Wolff is also out due to a damaged knee and is set to miss game number nine for the hosts as Zac MacMath rounds off the list of absentees.

Obinna Nwodo remains out of contention for Cincinnati after picking up a thigh injury in the first half of June's 3-1 triumph over CF Montreal.

The away side will also take to the field without Kevin Denkey and Yuya Kubo, while DeAndre Yedlin could miss out having come off injured against Inter Miami.

In-form Evander has found the back of the net in five successive outings and will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:

Cabral; Junqua, Ramirez, Glad, Hidalgo; Ruiz, Caliskan; Luna, Gozo, Goncalves; Agada

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:

Celentano; Robinson, Miazga, Engel; Powell, Bucha, Anunga, Orellano; Evander, Kamara, Valenzuela

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We say: Real Salt Lake 3-1 FC Cincinnati

 

Real Salt Lake are set to face their toughest assignment for some time now, but recent results suggest the home side have no cause for concern. We are fancying them to keep the juggernaut rolling with a routine win at the end of the 90 minutes.

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

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