San Jose Earthquakes will be seeking to end their six-game winless run when they visit the Toyota Stadium to lock horns with Dallas on Saturday.
The home side will head into the weekend desperate to get one over the Earthquakes, having failed to win any of their last nine encounters since October
Match preview
© Reuters
Dallas failed to return to winning ways in the MLS as their lack of sting at the attacking end of the pitch saw them only salvage a 1-1 draw against Portland Timbers at the Providence Park last Sunday.
In a frenetic end to the game, the Timbers looked to have walked away with all three points when Marvin Loria rebounded home his saved penalty in the sixth minute of injury time, but Colombian midfielder Diego Chara scored an own goal four minutes later to hand the visitors a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, the Burn saw their two-game winning streak come to an end when they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Seattle Sounders courtesy of a first-half penalty from Uruguay international Nicolas Lodeiro.
Nico Estevez's men have picked up nine wins, nine draws and lost seven of their 25 MLS games to collect 36 points and sit third in the Western Conference standings, 15 points off first-placed Los Angeles FC.
While Dallas will look to arrest their slump and strengthen their position in the upper echelons of the table, next up is the challenge of an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in each of their last nine attempts, losing four and picking up five draws since a 1-0 victory in July 2016.
© Reuters
San Jose Earthquakes, on the other hand, turned in a fine show of fighting spirit as they came from behind twice to salvage a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Austin FC last weekend.
Despite Sebastian Driussi's eye-catching performance in front of goal, Jeremy Ebobisse netted with just two minutes left to play at the Q2 Stadium to restore parity for the Earthquakes, who trailed 3-2 at the half-time interval.
While manager Alex Covelo will be impressed to have snatched a late draw, his side has now failed to win any of their last six games across all competitions, picking up three draws and losing three since July's 3-2 victory at LA Galaxy.
With 24 points from 24 games, San Jose Earthquakes are currently bottom but one in the Western Conference, just one point above last-placed Sporting Kansas City, albeit with one game in hand.
However, the Earthquakes will fancy their chances of ending their poor run as they go up against a Dallas side who have managed just one home win from their most recent six games, picking up five points from a possible 18 since May.
- L
- D
- W
- W
- L
- D
- W
- L
- L
- D
- L
- D
- L
- D
- L
- D
- L
- D
Team News
© Reuters'
Dallas will take to the pitch without American defender Lucas Bartlett, who has been out of action since May's game against Sporting Kansas City through a broken rib.
Spanish centre-back Jose Antonio Martinez is also a doubt for the Burn after the 29-year-old was forced off injured midway through the game against Portland Timbers last time out.
Should he fail to shake off the injury, Nkosi Burgess could come into the mix for his ninth start of the season, forming a back four with Ema Twumasi, Matt Hedges and Marco Farfan.
Meanwhile, Covelo will be unable to call upon the duo of George Asomani and Gilbert Fuentes, who have both been ruled out through long-term hip and knee injuries respectively
They are joined on the San Jose Earthquakes injury table by 22-year-old midfielder Siad Haji, who is currently recuperating from a groin problem.
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Twumasi, Hedges, Burgess, Farfan; Servania, Cerrillo, Lletget; Arriola, Ferreira, Velasco
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Bersano; Thompson, Nathan, Beason, Marie; Yueill, Judson, Monteiro; Espinoza, Ebobisse, Kikanovic
We say: Dallas 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Looking at recent results between Dallas and San Jose, we expect another keenly-contested encounter this weekend. Both sides have struggled to get going over the last month and we predict that they will settle for a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
