Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Real salt lake will look to move within three points of the top of the Western Conference table when they host Minnesota United on Wednesday at America First Field.

After turning things around in recent weeks, the Minnesota team is looking for its fourth straight MLS away win and making a late bid to secure automatic qualification for the playoffs.

Game preview

© Imago

Real Salt Lake suffered another setback in its bid to secure the Western Conference title as it was held to a 2-2 draw by Austin FC after missing its two-goal lead in the final 10 minutes of the game. lost the lead.

After a goalless first half in the Q2 stadium Matt Crooks And Diogo Goncalves Hitting the target to put visitors in the driver's seat, but Jader Obrian And Guilherme Biro scored a goal within eight minutes and secured a share of the spoils.

This was the second consecutive game in which Real Salt Lake conceded two goals, following a 3-3 draw against the Portland Timbers on September 22nd Jonathan Rodríguez He found the net in the 92nd minute, giving the Timbers a hard-earned point.

A series of just two wins from the last nine league games since mid-July Pablo MastroeniTheir title claim is in serious jeopardy as they sit in third place the Western Conference tablesix points behind the first-place Los Angeles Galaxy.

This poor form at the end of the season can be attributed to their problems away from home, where the Clarets and Cobalt have failed to win any of their last five league games, taking just two points from a possible 15 after a 4-3 win at Sporting Kansas City on the 20th . June.

With just three games left in the regular season, Real Salt Lake will need to avoid further slip-ups and look for favorable results elsewhere to secure its first-ever conference title.

© Imago

Minnesota United, on the other hand, was able to continue its good run of success in the run-up to the season and achieved a clear 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids at the weekend.

In a one-sided affair at Allianz Field, Kelvin Yeboah was among the goals once again as he scored twice to give the hosts a commanding lead ahead of the 27-year-old Hassani Dotson With a goal in the 82nd minute he made the result unattainable.

Minnesota United has now won four of its last five games – the exception being a 2-1 home loss to FC Cincinnati on September 19 – and had just one win in the 10 games prior to this run.

While this has seen an upswing in form Eric RamsayThe Los Angeles men move up to eighth place in the Western Conference standings and are tied with the ninth-place Portland Timbers for the second play-in spot with 45 points. With a win on Wednesday they could move level with the sixth-place Houston Dynamo.

However, Minnesota United will have to prove their mettle on Wednesday as they have failed to win in any of their last nine visits to America First Field, suffered two defeats and have drawn seven since a 3-1 win in May 2012.

Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:

Minnesota United Major League Soccer form:

Team news

© Imago

Real Salt Lake will take the field without the services of Kevin Bonilla and Argentine midfielder Pablo Ruizwho are currently recovering from cruciate ligament or knee injuries.

Experienced defender Marcelo Silva also continues his long spell on the sidelines Bode Hidalgo is expected to miss his third straight game after suffering a leg injury against FC Dallas on September 19th.

While Cristian Arango Despite failing to score in his last six games, we expect the 29-year-old, who is currently third in the Golden Boot race with 17 goals in 27 games, to lead the hosts' attack.

As for Minnesota, they will be without the services of 36-year-old defender Boxall, who is suspended after exceeding a yellow card against the Colorado Rapids at the weekend.

As for the injuries, Ramsay will not be able to call on several players in the backbone of the team Teemu Pukki (Thigh), Zarek Valentine (foot) and DJ Taylor (Muscle) continue their magic on the sidelines.

Yeboah has hit the ground running since joining from Genoa in the summer and the Italian striker, who has scored seven goals in six league games, will be one to keep an eye on.

Possible Real Salt Lake starting lineup:
MacMath; Quinton, Glad, Vera, Brody; Eneli, Ojeda; Marczuk, Crooks, Luna; Arango

Possible Minnesota United starting lineup:
St Clair; Harvey, Tapias, Diaz, Rosales; Hlongwane, Dotson, Trapp, Pereyra; Lod, Yeboah

We say: Real Salt Lake 2:1 Minnesota United

There's a lot at stake when Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United face off on Wednesday and we're expecting an exciting affair at America First Field. While Ramsay's men go into the game as the more in-form side, home advantage gives Real Salt Lake a slight advantage and we expect them to return to winning ways, albeit by a narrow margin.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

Previews via email