Colorado Rapids and Minnesota United have both recorded two wins, two draws and two losses in their first six games of the MLS campaign, sitting ninth and tenth in the Western Conference.
Sunday's hosts, Minnesota, enter this encounter on the back of consecutive defeats, while the Rapids are aiming to avoid back-to-back losses after their four-game unbeaten run was ended last time out.
Match preview
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Adrian Heath's side have netted just five goals so far, among the worst scoring start any Western Conference team has made this season, and that was demonstrated in their 1-0 defeat against Austin FC on Monday.
Minnesota managed to create a few more chances in the attacking third in the second half of that match but failed to find a clinical edge, which was the first game that they had not scored in this year.
Having netted no more than one goal in a single encounter this season, Sunday's hosts may have to rely on keeping a clean sheet to claim all three points, but they will want to improve in front of goal.
At this early stage of the campaign, maximum points for Minnesota or Colorado this weekend could see either team climb into the top seven, but looking the other way in the table the losers could fall as low as 12th.
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Colorado suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat on the opening day of the season; however, they then collected eight points from a possible 12 in their next four matches while conceding just two goals, but their leaky defence was on display again last time out.
Diego Rubio gave the Rapids a 30th-minute lead against Dallas last weekend, but a second-half turnaround from the hosts sent Robin Fraser's side to a 3-1 defeat.
Sunday's visitors are unbeaten on home soil but are yet to secure their first win on their travels; although, after Minnesota suffered back-to-back defeats ahead of this encounter, Colorado may feel this weekend is a good opportunity to improve their away record.
This match at the Allianz Field is likely to be a close affair given Minnesota and Colorado's very similar start to the campaign, while it may also be a low-scoring contest as Minnesota have only been involved in a match with more than two goals once so far.
Minnesota are looking for revenge on this weekend's opponents, after the Rapids secured three wins out of three against the Loons last year, scoring eight goals during those matches as well.
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Team News
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Minnesota left-back Chase Gasper and goalkeeper Eric Dick will be absent from the hosts' squad due to injury, while Patrick Weah faces a longer period on the sidelines due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Kemar Lawrence made his first start of the campaign last time out, and he could retain his place at left-back with DJ Taylor expected to operate on the other side of the back four.
Luis Amarilla will lead the line for Minnesota, looking to add to his two goals of the season so far, while Emanuel Reynoso and Robin Lod offer more attacking options for Heath.
Colorado's Aboubacar Keita and Braian Galvan may not feature until the end of this campaign due to cruciate ligament injuries, and Gustavo Vallecilla will also be absent this weekend but could make his return later this month.
The visitors will operate in a 3-4-3 formation, with Michael Barrios, Rubio and Max Alves making up the front three, which will be supported by Lucas Esteves and Keegan Rosenberry from their wing-back positions.
Auston Trusty and Lalas Abubakar have started every game so far, while fellow centre-back Danny Wilson has missed just one game, and they are certain to make up the defensive trio for the Rapids.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St Clair; Lawrence, Dibassy, Boxall, Dotson; Rosales, Trapp, Arriaga; Reynoso, Amarilla, Lod
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Trusty, Wilson, Abubakar; Esteves, Kaye, Price, Rosenberry; Alves, Rubio, Barrios
We say: Minnesota United 1-1 Colorado Rapids
Both of these teams are looking to get back to winning ways but having started the campaign in a similar fashion, this weekend's contest is likely to end all square.
Neither team have scored many goals in recent weeks, which is why this match could be a low-scoring draw, but both sides are expected to concede also.
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Minnesota United win with a probability of 44.87%. A win for Colorado Rapids had a probability of 28.97% and a draw had a probability of 26.2%.
The most likely scoreline for a Minnesota United win was 1-0 with a probability of 11.18%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.02%) and 2-0 (8.11%). The likeliest Colorado Rapids win was 0-1 (8.57%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.43%). The actual scoreline of 3-1 was predicted with a 4.4% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Minnesota United would win this match.
