Preview: New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are 10th in the Eastern Conference and could move up to ninth with a positive result, but their task will not be easy, as they play host to the team currently top of the Eastern Conference.

Match preview

NY Red Bulls got off to a very poor start to the season, winning just one of their opening 11 matches, but after a 1-0 victory against DC United in the US Open Cup at the start of May, they have started to move up the league table.

Despite initially going on a four-game unbeaten run, the Red Bulls' form has since been very patchy, and they have not managed to win consecutive games so far this season, but Wednesday night is their opportunity to do just that.

Troy Lesesne's side picked up a 2-1 victory at home against New England Revolution last time out, with Franuel Amaya and Wikelman Carmona getting on the scoresheet, and they are now tasked with following up what was a very promising performance.

NY Red Bulls have won two and drawn one of their last three home games, but they now face the daunting task of taking on a side they have failed to beat in their last four attempts, losing on penalties in the US Open Cup earlier this season.

Indeed, Cincinnati have already won at the Red Bull Arena this season, and they also emerged as winners in their last league visit, with Brandon Vazquez striking late to seal a 2-1 victory last October.

Not only have the Orange and Blue won their last two matches against Wednesday's opponents, they have also been fantastic in the MLS so far this season, and they could go 10 points clear at the top of the table with a win in New York.

Pat Noonan's side have lost just twice in the MLS all season, having gone undefeated at home, but they have been on the receiving end of some heavy defeats when they have fallen short, losing 5-1 against St. Louis City, and 3-0 against DC United.

Cincinnati have also developed a habit of drawing too many games as of late, which Noonan will be keen to rectify quickly, with his side sharing the spoils in three of their last five games, only winning once.

In their last match, the Orange and Blue went 2-0 down inside the opening 25 minutes away at Charlotte Independence, but they managed to fight back and draw the match in the second half, courtesy of goals from Luciano Acosta and Alvaro Barreal.

New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer form:

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FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:

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FC Cincinnati form (all competitions):

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Team News

New York Red Bulls have a couple of injury doubts heading into the game, with Steven Sserwadda set to miss out due to a long-term knee issue, while Lewis Morgan is unlikely to be involved after missing the last four games with an injury problem of his own.

However, Lesensne is probably to stick with the majority of his team regardless of whether the duo are deemed fit enough to return, given the Red Bulls' victory in their last match.

The only change the manager might make is bringing in Carmona in midfield, with the 20-year-old scoring the winner as a substitute in the last match, and he could replace Dante Venzeir.

As for FC Cincinnati, centre-back Matt Miazga will miss his fifth match on the spin, as he is still competing for the USMNT at the Gold Cup, with the final against Panama set to take place this Wednesday night.

Ian Murphy will also miss out, having been shown a red card against Charlotte last time out, so Santiago Arias could get the nod in a more central role, with Alvas Powell coming in at right-wing back.

New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:

Carlos; Harper, Reyes, Nealis, Duncan; Edelman, Amaya, Fernandez, Luquinhas; Carmona; Barlow

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:

Celentano; Arias, Hagglund, Mosquera; Powell, Nwobodo, Moreno, Barreal, Acosta; Santos, Kubo

We say: New York Red Bulls 0-1 FC Cincinnati

Although FC Cincinnati have started to struggle a little bit in recent weeks, they have been the far superior side this season, and we expect them to emerge as narrow winners.

The Orange and Blue have won their last two games at the Red Bull Arena, and they should have more than enough quality to make it three on the spin this Wednesday.

How to watch

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