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Preview: Colorado Rapids vs. FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 25 May 2023, 18:26
Major League Soccer Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati will make the trip to DSG Park on Sunday, aiming to continue their impressive start to the campaign.

Meanwhile, Colorado Rapids will be hoping to secure three points to start pushing themselves up the Western Conference, where they currently sit 12th.

Match preview

It has not been an easy start to the campaign for Colorado Rapids who have only won two of their 14 matches at this stage, which is why they currently sit just two points above the foot of the table.

Their form at the DSG Park has been a big reason for their difficulties as they are the only team in the entire MLS to not win a single game at home so far.

That is something the team will be aiming to change this weekend, but they will have to overcome being knocked out of the US Open Cup in midweek as well.

Colorado Rapids were defeated by Real Salt Lake in midweek with Jefferson Savarino's first-half goal proving to be enough to separate them.

The defeat highlighted an issue that Robin Fraser's team have which is a lack of goals, and after scoring just five times at home so far that is an issue that will need resolving.

The hosts certainly walk into this one as underdogs due to how well FC Cincinnati have been performing, but competing away from home has been a problem for them.

Out of the five games they have played on the road in the MLS the Orange and Blue have only managed to win one of them, which is an issue they need to address.

Should FC Cincinnati want to keep their grip on the top spot in the Eastern Conference then picking up points on a consistent basis in away matches will be needed.

Pat Noonan's men were able to secure a midweek victory on the road though when they faced New York Red Bulls in the US Open Cup, with the game ultimately being decided by penalties.

The victory extended FC Cincinnati's unbeaten run to eight games which brings plenty of confidence into the squad for this weekend.

Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer form:

D

D

W

L

L

L

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:

L

W

D

W

W

W

Team News

Moise Bombito made his first start for Colorado Rapids in midweek, therefore he could be an option once again depending on how Fraser viewed his performance.

However, the hosts will continue to be without Cole Bassett as he is dealing with a hamstring problem that is keeping him out at the moment.

FC Cincinnati made seven changes for their US Open Cup match in midweek and it is likely that there will be plenty more again this weekend, providing plenty of fresh legs for this game.

Santiago Arias has been dealing with an injury problem as of late due to a thigh issue, and he is expected to miss out here.

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:

Yarbrough; Abubakar, Maxso, Wilson; Nicholson, Leyva, Priso-Mbongue, Ronan, Gersbach; Barrios, Cabral

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:

Celentano; Hagglund, Miazga, Murphy; Gaddis, Nwobodo, Kubo, Moreno; Acosta; Badji, Vazquez

We say: Colorado Rapids 0-2 FC Cincinnati

Colorado Rapids have struggled this season, particularly in home matches, which is why the visitors should be able to take a comfortable three points in this match.

How to watch

You can watch Colorado Rapids vs. FC Cincinnati and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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