San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo square off on Sunday night sitting on the same points in the Western Conference standings.
Occupying 11th and 12th place respectively, neither team have had a good season, but they sit just five points adrift of the playoff spots.
Match preview
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When they failed to win any of their opening seven fixtures in the MLS this campaign, San Jose Earthquakes turned to Alex Covelo in the hope that a temporary change in leadership would instigate better results.
Three months later and Covelo is still in his interim role, a consequence of five wins and four draws coming from 12 league encounters.
Still only sitting in 12th position, there is still much work ahead, but the Earthquakes are at least in contention to earn a spot in the top seven.
As well as being just five points adrift of that position, the Earthquakes have a game in hand, while they are also looking to build on a three-match unbeaten run.
Last time out, a 3-2 triumph was posted at the home of Los Angeles Galaxy, although it is worth noting that the Earthquakes came close to blowing a three-goal half-time lead.
From the perspective of Houston, they head into this contest on the back of a four-match winless streak, that period including three defeats.
The most recent of those setbacks came at leaders Austin earlier this week, Houston having initially held the lead before losing by a 3-1 scoreline.
While Dynamo have netted in their last six encounters in the MLS, their only clean sheet in seven came against Eastern Conference strugglers Chicago Fire.
With just six wins from his first 20 matches in charge, head coach Paulo Nagamura knows that he is fighting to keep his position in the dugout.
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Team News
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Covelo may be content with selecting the same Earthquakes XI which started the fixture at LA Galaxy.
Should an alteration be made, Jan Gregus is most likely to be brought into the team in the centre of the pitch.
Having made two substitute appearances since his switch from Atletico Madrid, Hector Herrera could be provided with his first Houston start.
Darwin Ceren is most likely to drop out of the starting lineup to accommodate the Mexico international.
Further forward, Darwin Quintero could be restored to the team, taking the spot of the suspended Fafa Picault on the right flank.
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Marcinkowski; Marie, Nathan, Beason, Lopez; Yueill, Remedi; Espinoza, Monteiro, Kikanovic; Ebobisse
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Zeca, Parker, Hadebe, Lundqvist; Herrera, Carrasquilla; Quintero, Vera, Rodriguez; Ulfarsson
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 Houston Dynamo
All things considered, a draw will not benefit either side, leading us to believe that this will turn out to be an entertaining contest. Houston will be confident that they are capable of prevailing with maximum points, but we feel that the Earthquakes will extend their recent run with a victory of their own.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
