Predictions: Crew (A) v RSL

Good Morning,

The Crew play away to Real Salt Lake today. Kickoff is at 9:30 PM EST, 7:30 MDT.

GAME NOTES:
-CLB: Lost 5 straight on the road
-CLB: Worst 6 game road form in MLS
-CLB: Anor, Meram Out (starters in last 2 wins)
-RSL: 4-1-1 +7 GD in last 6
-RSL: Rimando, Beckerman, Saborio should be in lineup
-RSL: Only two loses at Rio Tinto this year.

GAME PREDICTIONS
(In no particular order)

1. WV HOOLIGAN ... RSL
"RSL looks to get back on track here as they pursue the Supporters’ Shield trophy". Drew Epperley's prediction: RSL 3, Columbus 1.

2. BET365 ... RSL
Strong odds for Real Salt Lake today at 3/5 (Draw 14/5, Crew 19/4).

3. COLUMBUS DISPATCH ... (lean) RSL
The tone of Adam Jardy's "How it might play out" summary certainly suggests that RSL is the team to beat tonight but he does mention the fact that RSL have played three games in seven days. Pick up a paper if you are in town. If you are out of town? Good luck on navigating this paper's website.

4. TABLE ... RSL

5. HOME TEAM ... RSL

6. MLSSOCCER.COM ... RSL
Real Salt Lake across the board. "Armchair Analyst" Matt Doyle still leading the way over there (111 of 230 correct, picking result).

7. GOAL.COM ... CREW
Surprising one line summary from regular Keith Hickey today... "RSL will have to overcome history and the hot foot of Federico Higuain to stay comfortable in first place." On top of that and for the first time all year there is a actual preview write up of the match. Reader prediction has RSL 68%.

8. WINDRAWWIN.COM ... RSL
Large Stake on Home Win, 2-0 and the 'your votes' section is heavy RSL (56%). Crew only getting 12% of the vote.

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MY GAME THOUGHTS

Can't stop looking at this pic.

Despite recent success at Rio Tinto, it's gonna be a tough one for the Crew tonight. Not having Bernardo Anor in the lineup (fatigue) is likely going to force Robert Warzycha back into his two holding mid shell.

If that's the case then Federico Higuain (scorer of all four goals in last two wins) will go back to being jammed up and chasing the game.

Real Salt Lake is a good team this year. A very good team. And they will be hungry tonight to stay in the race for 1st place in the league now that we are in the home stretch.

Personally, I really, really which Anor was in this lineup and the Crew were facing them as an in form side because a win would sell me on how good this team can (could've) be (been).

Later start tonight allows me some time to catch afternoon show of "The World's End". Pretty excited about that.

Enjoy the game.