Sporting Kansas City take on Nashville SC at Children's Mercy Park on Wednesday evening, in the latest round of MLS fixtures.
It is set to be a cross-conference match, with the hosts currently sitting 10th in the Western Conference, while the visitors are seventh in the Eastern Conference.
Match preview
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Sporting Kansas City are still very much in contention for the playoffs as we approach the final stretch of the MLS season, currently sitting just one point behind ninth-placed Portland Timbers, who occupy the final playoff position.
A recent uptick in form has helped turn Kansas into playoff contenders, having won three of their four games since the MLS season resumed, with their only defeat coming away against US Open Cup winners Inter Miami.
In fact, over the past 20 games, no Western Conference side has picked up more points than SKC, who have hit a rich vein of form at exactly the right time, and they have been particularly impressive in matches at Children's Mercy Park.
Peter Vermes's side have taken 10 points from their last four games in front of their own fans, defeating Western Conference league-leaders St Louis City 2-1 at the beginning of September, with Alan Pulido bagging a brace.
Last time out, Sporting Kansas City proved they also have what it takes to win away from home, defeating Minnesota United 1-0 courtesy of an 84th-minute Gadi Kinda goal.
Nashville SC are tasked with foiling one of the league's form teams on Wednesday evening, but the signs are not promising heading into the game, considering their MLS form has fallen off a cliff since the end of June.
The Boys in Gold have lost six, drawn two and won just one of their last nine MLS games, meaning they are now at risk of falling out of the top seven, which would deny them access to the quarter-final stage of the playoffs.
Since the MLS season resumed at the end of August, Gary Smith's side have scored just one goal, which came from the spot in their 1-1 draw against Charlotte in the last match, with Hany Mukhtar keeping his nerve to equalise in the 98th minute.
Mukhtar's goal prevented Nashville from falling to yet another defeat, but they are now without a win in their last six MLS games, which does not bode well before a game against a side in fantastic form.
Team News
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Sporting Kansas City have a couple of long-term absentees who will play no part on Wednesday night, with Kortne Ford sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury, while Graham Zusi is unavailable due to a muscle issue.
SKC have been in fantastic form, so Vermes is unlikely to ring the changes, but Kinda could replace Erik Thommy in central midfield, off the back of scoring the winner against Minnesota United last time out.
Nashville SC's only missing player is Nick DePuy, who is suffering with an Achilles injury, with Smith otherwise having a fully-fit squad to choose from, but he may be inclined to make a few more changes than his counterpart.
Smith's side have not scored from open play in their last three games, so the manager may mix things up in attack, with Teal Bunbury and Alex Muyl potentially coming into the starting XI.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Melia; Davis, Rosero, Fontas, Ndenbe; Kinda, Radoja, Walter; Russell, Salloi, Pulido
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Moore, MacNaughton, Maher, Lovitz; Leal, Godoy, McCarty, Bunbury; Mukhtar, Muyl
We say: Sporting Kansas City 2-0 Nashville SC
Although Sporting Kansas City are still outside the playoff places, they have been one of the best sides in the Western Conference over the past 20 matches, and we expect them to get the job done on Wednesday night.
Nashville SC have been in terrible form, winning just one of their last nine MLS games, and they have not won on their travels since the beginning of June, so we think it will be a relatively comfortable victory for the hosts.
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Top tip
Dominic Lund
