In search of a third victory in four games, a rejuvenated Inter Miami side travel to the TQL Stadium on Sunday for their meeting against FC Cincinnati.
The home side, on the other hand, will be looking to arrest a slump in form which has seen them fail to win any of their last 11 outings.
Match preview
Following back-to-back victories on home turf, Inter Miami were denied a third win in a row on Saturday when they played out a goalless draw versus Orlando City.
In an eventful affair at the Exploria Stadium, Phil Neville's men were lucky to come away with a point after Tesho Akindele saw his spot kick saved and a goal ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee within the space of 15 minutes.
Having picked up 15 of the last 24 points available, the Herons have gotten their season back on track to an extent but are still seven points adrift of the last playoff spot with two games in hand.
Awaiting them next is a battle against an opposing side who they have beaten in each of the previous two encounters, the most recent of which was a dramatic 3-2 win back in May.
However, Sunday's visitors have won just two of their nine games on the road all-season long, but only two teams in the entire division have conceded fewer goals away from home.
FC Cincinnati fell to a second consecutive defeat away from home on Friday in a narrow 3-2 affair versus Columbus Crew at the Lower.com Field.
Jaap Stam saw his side respond superbly to going behind, turning the game on its head thanks to goals from Ronald Matarrita and Isaac Atanga, before a late brace from Miguel Berry decided the outcome.
The Orange and Blue are bottom but one in the Eastern Conference, two places and six points shy of their next opponents having both played 20 games apiece.
Sunday's hosts are the only team in the MLS yet to record a home victory this term and now is as good a time as any to break that duck.
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- L
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- W
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- D
Team News
Nineteen-year-old Ian Fray continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury and is not expected to make a comeback anytime soon.
Joevin Jones has sat out Inter Miami's last 10 games due to a knee problem which he picked up in a 2-1 defeat versus Orlando City back in June.
Ryan Shawcross could be fit enough for a place on the visitors' bench this weekend, while Ventura Alvarado misses out altogether through a muscle injury.
Cincinnati's Zico Bailey and Calvin Harris are currently down with knee and hip injuries respectively, ruling them out of Sunday's contest.
Dutch defender Maikel van der Werff is yet to make his first appearance of the season as he remains out of action with a hernia problem.
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Vermeer; Hagglund, Cameron, Vallecilla, Matarrita; Kubo, Cruz, Acosta; Valot, Barreal, Vazquez
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Marsman; Makoun, Figal, Pirez; Shea, Matuidi, Ulloa, Morgan; Robinson, Pizarro, Higuain
We say: FC Cincinnati 1-2 Inter Miami
Cincinnati have found wins hard to come by of late whether at home or on the road. Their home record, however, is a major Achilles' heel, and we are backing Inter Miami to heap more misery on this weekend's hosts.
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