Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. New England Revolution – prediction, team news, lineups
Real Salt Lake will attempt to end a four-game winless run in the MLS when they play host to the New England Revolution on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to record a second straight win after claiming a dominant 5-0 victory over Montreal.
After being eliminated in the group stage of the Leagues Cup, Real Salt Lake returned to MLS action with a disappointing result in last weekend’s home clash against San Jose Earthquakes.
Cristian Espinoza and Amahl Pellegrino both grabbed a goal apiece to condemn Real Salt Lake to a 2-0 defeat, extending their winless run to four MLS matches.
While they may be in poor form, the Claret and Cobalt will still be satisfied with their current third-place position in the Western Conference, having collected 44 points from their 26 MLS matches this term.
However, they will still be keen to return to winning ways in their first meeting with New England since recording a 3-2 away win in March 2022.
The hosts can take confidence from the fact they have avoided defeat in each of their last eight home matches against New England (W6, D2), including a dominant 4-1 victory in their most recent home encounter in October 2018.
In contrast to Real Salt Lake, New England managed to progress from their Leagues Cup group, before their journey was ended by a penalty shootout defeat to New York City in the round of 32.
The Revolution returned to action with a dominant display in last weekend’s MLS clash against Montreal, with Bobby Wood netting a brace before Nick Lima, Giacomo Vrioni and Luca Langoni all found the net to wrap up a 5-0 victory.
That result brought an end to New England’s four-game winless MLS run, moving them onto 26 points after 24 matches.
New England still have plenty of work to do if they are to reach the postseason, with the Revolution in 12th spot in the Eastern Conference and two points adrift of ninth-placed Atalanta, who have played two games more.
After producing a free-scoring display in Canada, the Revolution now turn their focus to Saturday’s clash at America First Field, with the visitors looking to claim their first away win over Real Salt Lake since July 2007.
Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:
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Real Salt Lake form (all competitions):
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New England Revolution Major League Soccer form:
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New England Revolution form (all competitions):
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Team News
Real Salt Lake are still unable to call upon the midfield duo of Pablo Ruiz and Kevin Bonilla due to knee injuries.
The hosts will have to assess their captain Cristian Arango after he was forced off in the first half against San Jose.
Diogo Goncalves, who recently completed a move from Copenhagen, is expected to retain his place in the side after making his MLS debut last weekend.
As for the Revolution, they are still having to cope without the services of Tomas Chancalay and Nacho Gil due to injury.
Lima is in contention to replace Brandon Bye, who is a doubt after being forced off in the 12th minute against Montreal.
Vrioni may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Wood set to retain his spot after netting a brace last weekend.
Langoni may also have to be content with a substitute role despite coming off the bench to score on his New England debut.
Real Salt Lake starting lineup:
MacMath; Hidalgo, Glad, Vera, Katranis; Eneli, Ojeda; Chang, Crooks, Goncalves; Julio
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Lima, Romney, Arrearage, Sands; Polster, Kaye; Bajraktarevic, C Gil, Boateng; Wood.
We say: Real Salt Lake 2-1 New England Revolution
Real Salt Lake have won six of their last eight competitive home games against New England, and we think they will make full use of home advantage again to claim a narrow victory in Saturday’s MLS clash.
