The two sides at opposite ends of the Western Conference table go head to head on Saturday as Sporting Kansas City play host to Los Angeles FC at the Children's Mercy Park.
The hosts are currently rooted to the bottom of the pile, while the Black and Gold lead the way in the standings with a one-point cushion over second-placed Austin FC.
Match preview
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Sporting Kansas City continue to struggle for results in the MLS as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Real Salt Lake when the sides squared off on Monday.
Following a drab first half at the Rio Tinto Stadium, Sergio Cordova, Pablo Ruiz and Jefferson Savarino all scored within 21 minutes after the restart to hand the hosts a comfortable victory.
Prior to that, the Wizards claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win at CF Montreal on July 10 to snap their two-game losing streak before coming from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Minnesota United four days later.
After a run of four points from three road games, Sporting Kansas City now return home where they are on a three-game losing streak in the league, scoring once and conceding four in that time.
Peter Vermes's men have now lost 12 of their 22 games this season, while managing fine wins and five draws to collect 20 points and sit rock bottom in the Western Conference standings.
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On the other hand, Los Angeles FC ended their three-game winless run on the road when they edged out a resilient Nashville SC side 2-1 at the GEODIS Park last Monday.
After Hany Mukhtar converted his 43rd-minute penalty to cancel out Cristian Arango's 27th-minute opener and end the first half level, Jose Cifuentes netted minutes into the second period to hand the visitors all three points.
Steve Cherundolo's side have now won their last two matches, scoring five goals and conceding three, while they are unbeaten in six of their last seven outings — with a 1-0 loss at Vancouver Whitecaps on July 3 being the exception.
Los Angeles FC have picked up 13 wins, three draws and lost four of their 20 games so far to collect 42 points and sit top of the pile, one point above second-placed Austin FC.
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Team News
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Sporting Kansas City will have to cope without the services of Roger Espinoza, who is currently suspended after picking up a straight red against Real Salt Lake last time out.
On the injury front, the hosts will take to the pitch without several key players down the spine of the team as goalkeeper Tim Melia, defender Kortne Thompson-Ford, midfielder Erik Thommy and forward Alan Pulido all continue their spells on the sidelines.
The midfield duo of Nikola Vujnovic and American youngster Ozzie Cisneros adds to the Wizard's injury crisis as they are currently recuperating from calf and hamstring problems respectively.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles' injury list is much lighter by comparison as Julian Gaines and Erik Duenes continue their road to full fitness after both picking up knee injuries.
North Macedonian forward Daniel Musovski is set to sit out his second straight game after he was forced off with a 43rd-minute injury against LA Galaxy on July 9.
Fans got to see Gareth Bale don the Los Angeles FC jersey as he made his highly-anticipated debut off the bench against Nashville last time out and the former Real Madrid man could be thrown into the starting XI, teaming up with Carlos Vela and Arango, who has eight goals to his name this season.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Pulskamp; Pierre, Voloder, Isimat-Mirin, Ndenbe; Rosell; Duke, Walter, Hernandez, Salloi; Tzionis
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Hollingshead, Ibeagha, Murillo, Kim; Cifuentes, Sanchez, Acosta; Vela, Arango, Bale
We say: Sporting Kansas City 1-2 Los Angeles FC
Sporting Kansas City and Los Angeles FC have had contrasting campaigns so far, with the Wizards seating rock bottom in the Conference table. Cherundolo's men have won four of their last five games and we are backing them to see off the floundering hosts and strengthen their lead at the top of the pile.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
