Off the back of a narrow loss to Inter Miami in their last league outing, Charlotte FC will host FC Cincinnati in their latest MLS fixture at the Bank of America Stadium on Saturday evening.
Fresh from elimination in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Cincinnati FC will be aiming to claim their first competitive win away to Charlotte FC, and their maiden victory of the new season.
Match preview
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Charlotte FC started the season relatively strongly, going unbeaten in their first two regular season fixtures for the second successive campaign.
However, Dean Smith's men saw their undefeated start ended last time out as they suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in their most recent league outing.
After missing several gilt-edged chances in the first half, the Crown were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal, when Tadeo Allende netted in the 46th minute of the encounter to hand the hosts all the spoils at the Chase Stadium.
Last season, the home side finished fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, and 10th overall, but they could not progress beyond the first round of the playoff.
That said, the North Carolina-based outfit will be looking to do better this term, and they can count on their home form, which has seen them go unbeaten since September 15 - and a solid defence which saw them ship 37 goals last campaign, a record which was the second-best in the regular season.
Heading into Saturday's fixture, the home fans will be confident of another positive showing, as they have not lost a competitive home game against the visitors in three meetings
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Despite claiming two wins in their opening three MLS encounters, FC Cincinnati have struggled in games away from their stomping ground.
The Orange and Blue have not won a game on the road since October 19, when they edged Philadelphia Union 2-1.
Interestingly, the aforementioned Union handed the visitors their first away loss of the current campaign after they were dismissed 4-1 at Subaru Park in their second match of the new season.
Nevertheless, Pat Noonan's team returned to winning ways in their last league outing with a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC at the TQL Stadium on matchday three.
However, the visitors could not build on that result and the Knifey Lions were handed a 3-1 defeat by Tigres in the CONCACAF Champions Cup - a result which sealed their elimination from the competition courtesy of a 4-2 aggregate score.
Having managed only two wins in their final eight fixtures of the previous campaign, a record of two victories in three games so far is a significant improvement for the visitors.
Team News
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Jahlane Forbes and Brandon Cambridge are still out of contention for a place in the squad, as they are both on the mend from thigh injuries, while Nimfasha Berchimas will face a late fitness test to ascertain his readiness for Saturday's fixture.
Wilfried Zaha and Brandt Bronico, both of whom have featured in the starting XI for the hosts in two successive matches, are expected to keep their places.
Matt Miazga is a long-term injury absentee for the visitors, and there is no definite return date for the defender.
Similarly, this fixture will come too soon for Amir Daley, who is suffering from a broken collarbone.
Alec Edgar has not featured in any of his team's MLS fixtures this season, as he is currently on the sidelines with a hip injury.
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Ream; Bronico, Westwood; Abada, Zaha, Biel; Agyemang
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Engel, Hadebe, Robinson, Powell; Bucha, Anunga; Baird, Kubo, Orellano; Denkey
We say: Charlotte FC 1-1 FC Cincinnati
Charlotte FC have had mixed results to start the season, and they have given good account of themselves in their opening three games.
Similarly, Cincinnati have been one of the shining lights of the new season with two wins from three matches.
Therefore, we expect a keenly-contested fixture that is likely to end in a 1-1 draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
