Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. Columbus Crew - prediction, team news, lineups

A win last time out saw the hosts move within two points of division leaders Los Angeles FC, while their visitors have work to do if they are to break into the Eastern Conference playoff places.

Match preview

After a positive start to the campaign was followed by a tricky run, in which they went five games without a victory, Real Salt Lake appear to have rediscovered their form in MLS.

Pablo Mastroeni's side arrested that slump by winning four of their next five outings, firstly beating Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 before bouncing back from a defeat to Nashville SC with consecutive triumphs over Austin FC, CF Montreal and Houston Dynamo.

RSL were then beaten by Vancouver Whitecaps but instantly bounced back with a 2-0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes last weekend, as Marcelo Silva and Jefferson Savarino got on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory.

That result saw Mastroeni's men strengthen their position in second spot in the Conference and move within two points of leaders Los Angeles FC, and they will now aim to further boost their pursuit of the top spot with another win at the weekend.

Columbus Crew, meanwhile, will make the trip to Utah looking to correct their form with what would be an impressive victory on the road.

Caleb Porter's side made a positive start to the league campaign with two wins and two draws from their opening four games, but they quickly hit a tougher patch as the next eight outings produced just six points.

The Crew were finally able to arrest their slump at the end of May, beating Atlanta United 2-1 away from home thanks to goals from Jonathan Mensah and Erik Hurtado, before hosting Charlotte FC last time out.

Hurtado gave them the lead late in the first half of that game, but Andre Shinyashiki scored a leveller quickly after the interval to force Porter's men to settle for a share of the spoils.

That result meant Columbus Crew failed to climb any further up their Conference, and, now sitting 11th and three points off the playoff places, they will be keen to make a return to winning ways on Sunday.

Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:

Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Mastroeni could be tempted to deploy an unchanged Real Salt Lake starting XI after their win last time out, although he will have the option of bringing Aaron Herrera back into the defence after he served a suspension last time out.

Meanwhile, the centre-back pairing of Justen Glad and Marcelo Silva is bound to be untouched in front of goalkeeper Zac MacMath.

Bobby Wood and Sergio Cordova should again form the strike partnership, while dangerous winger Jefferson Savarino opened his account for the club in his third appearance following a switch from Atletico Mineiro.

Columbus Crew will likely remain without key man Lucas Zelarayan, who has been sidelined by an injury after scoring four goals in his first 11 league appearances of the season.

In his absence, attacking responsibility will again fall of Erik Hurtado, who has already found the net three times in five MLS appearances for the Crew, including in back-to-back games heading into the weekend.

Captain and important defender Jonathan Mensah was absent from the squad for the game against Charlotte FC, and he could remain on the sidelines for Sunday's contest.

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:

MacMath; Brody, Glad, Silva, Schmitt; Savarino, Loffelsend, Caldwell, Meram; Wood, Cordova

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:

Room; Anibaba, Williams, Degenek; Moreira, Nagbe, Morris, Igbekeme, Etienne; Hurtado, Berry

We say: Real Salt Lake 2-1 Columbus Crew

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