Preview: Sporting Kansas City vs. Los Angeles FC – prediction, team news, lineups

Sporting Kansas City will look to avoid a fourth straight defeat as they rise to the challenge Los Angeles FC on Sunday at Children's Mercy Park.

Meanwhile, the away team travel to Kansas this weekend in great success, having emerged victorious in each of their last three games in all competitions.

Game preview

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Los Angeles FC were far from their best in their last game against St. Louis City, but managed just enough to take maximum points in Thursday's meeting at BMO Stadium.

The Gabon international returned to the starting eleven for the first time in three league games Denis Bouanga was on target in the second game before the end Steve Cherundolo's men a much-needed victory.

After going five MLS games without a win between September 1 and 22, Los Angeles FC has now won consecutive league games for the first time since July, when it defeated the Colorado Rapids and Los Angeles Galaxy.

This means the black and gold remain second in the race Western Conferencealthough they are running out of time to dislodge their city rivals Los Angeles Galaxy at the top of the league heading into the final three games of the regular season.

In the first of those three games, Los Angeles FC takes on Sporting Kansas City again, less than two weeks after the US Open Cup final, which the visitors won 3-1 on Sunday.

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With virtually nothing left to play this season, Sporting Kansas City couldn't prevent St. Louis City from emerging victorious 3-1 at CITYPARK on Thursday.

Goals from Cedric Teuchert And Rasmus Alm left Peter Vermes's men with a mountain to climb first Stephen Afrifa pulled one back, just for Edward Lions 15 minutes before the end to confirm the result beyond any doubt.

It was the Wizards' third straight loss after losing to Los Angeles FC in the US Open Cup final. This was their only chance to secure a rare positive in an otherwise tumultuous season.

Four years after finishing first in the West, Sporting Kansas is on track to finish last, but this time with just eight wins from 32 league games.

In what is expected to be their last home game of the season, the hosts will be looking to finish with a win in front of their fans on Sunday, as they are unbeaten in eight of nine games up to this weekend.

Sporting Kansas City Major League Soccer form:

Sporting Kansas City form (all competitions):

Los Angeles FC form in Major League Soccer:

Los Angeles FC form (all competitions):

Team news

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Fresh off his fifth yellow card of the season, which earned him a one-match ban, Daniel Rosero is not authorized to play any role for Sporting Kansas City here.

midfielder Nemanja Radoja He suffered a groin injury in the League Cup game against Mexican club Toluca in August and has not played since.

John Pulskamp had a rare start last time, but Tim Melia He is expected to return between the sticks for the home team in this game.

Los Angeles FC Jesus Murillo And Lorenzo Dellavalle are out this weekend due to knee injuries Aaron Long's involvement remains in doubt as he has only just returned from a leg injury.

Maxime Chanot is blocked for the away team, but Sergi Palencia faces an immediate return to the lineup after missing the win over St. Louis City through suspension.

Denis Bouanga's winner was his 19th league goal of the season and the 29-year-old is now just three goals away Christian Benteke at the top of the MLS scoring charts.

Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Melia; Ndenbe, Voloder, Castellanos, Shelton; Davis, bass song; Salloi, Thommy, Russell; Pulido

Possible Los Angeles FC starting lineup:
Lloris; Segura, Hollingshead, Palencia; Olivera, Tillman, O'Brien, Campos; Bogusz, Giroud, Bouanga

We say: Sporting Kansas City – Los Angeles FC 1:2

Only the San Jose Earthquakes have conceded more goals in the West than Sporting Kansas City, and while Los Angeles FC may not be firing on all cylinders in attack at the moment, we can expect them to come away with the points at the end of the 90 minutes.

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

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