The action continues in Major League Soccer as Houston Dynamo and St Louis City go head to head at the Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday evening.
Bradley Carnell's men head into the weekend on a run of five consecutive away games without a win and will be looking to end this poor run.
Match preview
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Houston Dynamo were left spitting feathers just before the international break as they were held to a goalless draw by LA Galaxy at the Dignity Health Sports Park on September 3
The Orange Crush were guilty of a lack of cutting-edge in the final third as they failed to convert any of their chances before settling for a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, Houston Dynamo were on a four-match winning streak across all competitions, including a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in the US Open Cup semi-finals on August 14.
Ben Olsen's men now return home where they have won each of their last four matches, scoring 12 goals and keeping two clean sheets since July's 3-0 loss against Minnesota United.
With 39 points from 27 matches, Houston Dynamo are currently fifth in the Western Conference standings but could rise into second place with all three points this weekend.
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Like the hosts, St Louis City were left disappointed last time out as they were held to a 2-2 draw by LA Galaxy at the Dignity Health Sports Park after bottling a two-goal lead.
Samuel Adeniran and Joao Klauss found the back of the net to put the visitors in a commanding lead heading into the half-time interval but Riqui Puig and Billy Sharp scored second-half goals to force a share of the spoils.
With that results, Carnell's men have now gone five consecutive away games without a win across all competitions, losing four and claiming one draw since July's 1-0 victory at Toronto FC.
For all their recent struggles, St Louis City currently lead the way in the Western Conference standings, having picked up 48 points from 28 matches, seven points above second-placed Seattle Sounders.
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Team News
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Houston Dynamo will take to the pitch without the services of experienced defender Teenage Hadebe, who has been out of action since April through an ankle injury.
He is joined on the hosts' injury table by the duo of Ifunayachi Achara and Tate Schmitt, who are currently recuperating from knee and ACL injuries respectively.
Brazilian defender Micael was forced off injured midway through the second half against LA Galaxy last time out and is a doubt for this weekend's matchup.
Meanwhile, St Louis City will have to cope without 24-year-old striker Adeniran, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card against LA Galaxy on Monday.
In his absence, former Orlando City man Nicholas Gioacchini will push for a place in the starting XI, teaming up with Brazilian striker Klauss in the front two.
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Steres, Smith, Bartlow, Dorsey; Kowalczyk, Herrera, Caicedo; Bassi, Baird, Quinones
St Louis City possible starting lineup:
Burki; Markanich, Nilsson, Parker, Watts; Jackson, Lowen, Blom, Stroud; Klauss, Gioacchini
We say: Houston Dynamo 2-1 St Louis City
Houston Dynamo will be backing themselves to return to winning ways this weekend as they take on a St Louis side who have failed to win any of their last five away matches. The Orange Crush have won their last four home games across all competitions and we see them scraping a narrow victory in this one.
How to watch
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Joshua Ojele
