Two sides experiencing tough runs of form in Major League Soccer will do battle on Monday, as San Jose Earthquakes host Chicago Fire.
The hosts currently find themselves at the foot of the Western Conference, while their visitors are seven points outside of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
Match preview
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San Jose Earthquakes had to endure a dismal start to the MLS campaign, as they went without a victory for the opening seven games, managing to pick up just four points in that time.
While the Quakes were able to win three of their next five matches under the temporary management of Alex Covelo after Matias Almeyda's departure, they have again experienced a dip in recent weeks, with a win over Portland Timbers firstly followed by a draw with Sporting Kansas City.
They then suffered a 3-2 defeat away at Los Angeles Galaxy, before playing out a stalemate against Nashville SC and heading to Real Salt Lake last time out.
Cavalo's men came away empty-handed from that trip, as goals from Marcelo Silva and Jefferson Savarino condemned them to a 2-0 defeat, leaving the Quakes remaining at the foot of the conference, and they will be keen to turn around their form starting with a positive result on home turf on Monday.
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They take on a Chicago Fire side hoping to build on a much-needed win last time out after a long slump in their form.
Following an unbeaten start to the league campaign, in which they amassed nine points from the opening five games, Ezra Hendrickson's side experienced a dismal run, as they went 10 games without another victory, picking up just three points between the beginning of April and the end of May while suffering seven defeats.
That slump was finally put to an end as the Illinois outfit beat DC United 1-0 on home turf, only to lose their next contest away at Houston Dynamo 2-0.
Hendrickson's men were again able to return to winning ways last time out, though, as Federico Navarro's second-half goal made the difference in a 1-0 home victory over Phiadelphia Union.
Having dropped to second-from-bottom in the Eastern Conference as a result of their slump, Chicago Fire will aim to build on Thursday's win and turn a corner in the MLS, with Monday's outing providing a chance to put back-to-back victories together for the first time since March.
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Team News
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San Jose Earthquakes' attack will be led by star man Jeremy Ebobisse, who has already netted nine goals in 16 MLS appearances so far this season.
Winger Cristian Espinoza is another attacking threat, having scored four times and provided five assists in the league.
Regular starters Jamiro Monteiro and Jackson Yueill will keep their places in midfield, likely leaving Jan Gregus and Judson to battle for the final spot.
Chicago Fire could line up with an unchanged starting XI after a crucial victory last time out, with winning scorer Federico Navarro again set to anchor the midfield alongside Gaston Gimenez.
Their attack will be spearheaded by Kacper Przybylko, who arrived in Illinois after hitting 35 goals over the last three domestic campaigns for Philadelphia Union.
He will be supported by former Liverpool man Xherdan Shaqiri, who has netted three goals and provided two assists in his first 13 MLS appearances.
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Marcinkowski; Marie, Nathan, Beason, Lopez; Yueill, Monteiro, Judson; Espinoza, Ebobisse, Kikanovic
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Slonina; Sekulic, Teran, Czichos, Reynolds; Navarro, Gimenez; Herbers, Shaqiri, Mueller; Przybylko
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Chicago Fire
Having managed to put a crucial win on the board last time out, Chicago Fire will be keen to build a positive run, and they have a good opportunity to do so against the Western Conference's basement side.
The two teams each have the ability to cause the other problems, and we just lean towards a second consecutive win for Hendrickson's side on Monday.
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Top tip
Sam Varley
