Preview: Minnesota United vs. Los Angeles FC - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts head into this encounter six points behind their opponents, while the visitors can move to the top of the Western Conference providing other results go their way.

Match preview

Despite having plenty of time to turn things around, Minnesota United kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 victory over Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night, courtesy of strikes from Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Ismael Tajouri as well as a first Major League Soccer goal for new signing Teemu Pukki.

That victory lifts Minnesota up to sixth place in the Western Conference, two points behind San Jose Earthquakes in fifth place, and a point ahead of Austin FC and Dallas in seventh and eighth respectively.

Adrian Heath's side have one of the worst home records in the entire division, picking up just 11 points from nine matches at Allianz Field this season - only Colorado Rapids have earned fewer points at home.

That being said, they are welcoming a Los Angeles side that have only won three times from 10 matches on the road this season, so Heath will be sensing an opportunity for his side to end this torrid run of form in front of their own fans here.

As for Los Angeles, they secured a vital 3-1 victory in their first-ever match against St Louis City in midweek, with goals coming from Carlos Vela, Stipe Biuk and Jose Cifuentes to lift themselves into second place in the Western Conference.

With their first goal, LAFC became the fastest team in MLS history to score 350 all-time regular-season goals, needing just 180 games to achieve the feat, demonstrating the progress the club has made in recent years.

Heading into the game in LA, St Louis led the West by three points, with LAFC down in third, but Wednesday's results saw LAFC leapfrog Seattle Sounders into second and close the gap at the top to just two points.

Uncharacteristically, LAFC had suffered a few more slip-ups than usual in recent weeks, claiming just a single point from their previous four league fixtures before the victory on Wednesday night.

Steve Cherundolo's side have picked up 12 points from their 10 away trips so far this season, but they have lost their last two encounters on the road against city rivals Los Angeles Galaxy and fellow Western Conference outfit FC Dallas.

Minnesota United Major League Soccer form:

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Los Angeles FC Major League Soccer form:

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Team News

Minnesota United have a whole host of injury problems at present, with Emmanuel Iwe, Sang-bin Jeong, Franco Fragapane, Mikael Marques, Kemar Lawrence, Robin Lod and Ryen Jiba all missing out on the trip to Houston in midweek.

Teemu Pukki is expected to lead the line after scoring his first goal against Dynamo, while Miguel Tapias till start in the heart of the defence.

As for LA, Maxime Crepeau is back to training but is still a long ways away from returning to the lineup following his broken leg, while Jesus Murillo and Sergi Palencia missed their match on Wednesday and remain on the treatment table.

Aaron Long could return to the starting XI after being away with the United States national team for the Gold Cup, while Denis Bouanga will be hoping to add to his tally as he chases down in the goalscoring charts.

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:

Irwin; Taylor, Dibassy, Tapias, Valentin; Dotson, Trapp; Hlongwane, Reynoso, Rosales; Pukki

Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:

McCarthy; Hollingshead, Maldonado, Chiellini, Palacios; Cifuentes, Sanchez, Duenas; Bouanga, Vela, Torres

We say: Minnesota United 1-2 Los Angeles FC

The Black and Gold have continuously found ways to pick themselves back up when in a slump, and we expect them to build on the victory in midweek to make it two wins on the bounce this weekend.

In addition, Minnesota have struggled at home all season, and we expect those struggles to continue this weekend.

How to watch

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