Colorado Rapids will be looking to end a five-game winless run when they play host to Portland Timbers on Saturday.
The home side, who occupy 10th place in the Western Conference, can leapfrog the visitors with a win, while the Timbers can extend their current unbeaten run to four matches.
Match preview
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After winning two of their first three matches of the season, Colorado's form has dropped off, with their last five games yielding just three points.
They did, however, avoid a third consecutive defeat last weekend when they played out a goalless draw against Charlotte FC.
That result left the Rapids in 10th position in the Western Conference, with three points separating Colorado from the MLS playoffs
Although they are winless in their last five matches, the draw with Charlotte ensured that Colorado are unbeaten in their opening four matches this term.
Saturday's hosts will be motivated to avenge the 1-0 defeat that they suffered against Portland in the Western Conference semi-finals last season.
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Portland are currently two points better off than their hosts, and as a result, they sit in ninth position after accumulating 11 points from their nine games.
Although they have lost just two matches so far this term, the Timbers have been plagued by a number of draws, with five of their opening nine contests ending all square.
They also enter Saturday's contest off the back of two consecutive goalless draws, with the latest of those occurring last weekend against Real Salt Lake.
Giovanni Savarese's side are aiming to go one better than last season after losing out to New York City in the MLS Cup final 2021, but to do that Portland must begin to convert draws into victories.
If they are to pick up the three points on Saturday then the Timbers must remain defensively solid for the full duration of the game, with four of their away seven goals conceded this season occurring in the final 15 minutes of matches.
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Team News
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Colorado Rapids are still without long-term injury absentees Aboubacar Keita and Braian Galvan, while Oliver Larraz is also expected to miss out due to an injury issue.
Danny Wilson has been absent for the last two matches due to a hamstring problem and the 30-year-old remains a doubt for Saturday's contest.
Meanwhile, Jack Price could also miss out after being forced off in the first half against Charlotte, while Gyasi Zardes - who made his debut last weekend - could be given his first start for the Rapids.
As for the Timbers, they are still without the services of Felipe Mora, who is recovering from a knee problem, while a hip injury is expected to keep George Fochive sidelined.
Larrys Mabiala is likely to start for a fourth consecutive game, with the 34-year-old set to partner Bill Tuiloma in the centre of defence.
Savarese may be tempted to make a change to the forward line, which could result in Jaroslaw Niezgoda being recalled to the starting lineup.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Vallecilla, Abubakar, Trusty; Rosenberry, Kaye, Warner, Esteves; Rubio, Lewis, Zardes
Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Van Rankin, Tuiloma, Mabiala, Bravo; Paredes, Williamson, Blanco; Y. Chara, Moreno, Niezgoda
We say: Colorado Rapids 1-1 Portland Timbers
Colorado have drawn three of their last five matches, while Portland have accumulated more MLS draws than any other side this season, and we think that pattern will continue on Saturday night with the two teams cancelling each other out.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Colorado Rapids win with a probability of 58.82%. A draw had a probability of 23.3% and a win for Portland Timbers had a probability of 17.91%.
The most likely scoreline for a Colorado Rapids win was 1-0 with a probability of 12.95%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (11.37%) and 2-1 (9.68%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (11.02%), while for a Portland Timbers win it was 0-1 (6.28%). The actual scoreline of 2-0 was predicted with an 11.4% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Colorado Rapids would win this match.
