Fresh off the back of ending their six-match winless run, Philadelphia Union journey to the Bank of America Stadium to face Charlotte FC on Saturday.
While the hosts have hit their stride of late, they will need to be at their best against the Union, who head into the weekend as the only side yet to suffer defeat away from home in the league this season.
Match preview
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Charlotte were denied a fourth victory on the bounce as they were held to a goalless draw by Los Angeles Galaxy when the sides squared off at the Bank of America Stadium last Saturday.
In an action-packed contest, both sides were guilty of lack of cutting edge in front of goal as they failed to find the back of the net before settling for a share of the spoils.
With last weekend's result, Charlotte have now picked up 10 points from a possible 12, having lost three matches and managed just three points from the previous four games preceding this run.
This impressive turnaround has been owing to the solid job done at the defensive end of the pitch, where they have kept four clean sheets in their last four outings.
The fine run of results has seen Dean Smith's men surge into sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, level on 21 points with seventh-placed Columbus Crew and two points behind New York City FC in third position.
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Philadelphia Union, on the other hand, returned to winning ways in style as they thrashed 10-man New England Revolution 3-0 at the Gillette Stadium last weekend.
In a game where Ryan Spaulding received an early bath, Julian Carranza struck in the 38th minute to set the visitors on their way before Daniel Gazdag netted a second-half brace to cap off an eye-catching individual display.
This was a much-needed respite for Jim Curtin's side who had failed to taste victory in any of their previous six matches, losing four and picking up two draws while conceding 14 goals and scoring 10 since mid-April.
Philadelphia Union have now won four of their 13 MLS matches so far while losing four and claiming five draws to collect 17 points and sit eighth in the Eastern Conference table, level on points with ninth-placed DC United.
The Union will be backing themselves to pick up where they left off last time out as they head into the weekend as the only side unbeaten away from home in the league and currently boast the league's third-best point tally on the road (13).
Team News
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Charlotte will have to cope without Brecht Dejaegere, who is currently suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Los Angeles Galaxy last time out.
On the injury front, Smith will be unable to name the duo of Jere Uronen and Israeli striker Liel Abada, who are both recuperating from thigh injuries.
Brandon Cambridge has been out of action since sustaining a severe ankle injury back in October and the American midfielder remains out of contention for the home side.
As for Philadelphia, the goalkeeping duo of Holden Trent and Andre Blake have been sidelined through finger and knee injuries respectively and will play no part in Saturday's game.
Markus Anderson (ankle) and fellow midfielder Isaiah LeFlore (knee) both continue their spells on the club's injury table while Jamaican defender Damion Lowe is recovering from a back injury.
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Pedro; Bronico, Westwood, Diani; Smalls, Agyemang, Vargas
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Semmle; Harriel, Elliott, Glesnes, Wagner; Bedoya, Martinez, Flach; Gazdag, Uhre, Carranza
We say: Charlotte FC 2-1 Philadelphia Union
Buoyed by their resounding victory at New England Revolution, Philadelphia Union will head into the weekend with renewed confidence as they look to put together a fine run of form. However, Charlotte have hit their strides of late and we see them coming away with all three points in front of their home supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
