Preview: Charlotte FC vs. New England Revolution – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

As the MLS season enters the home stretch, Charlotte FC And New England Revolution face each other this weekend in a duel that could decide their playoff fate.

New England Revolution find themselves in a precarious position: they are in 15th place, five points off the play-off places, and their hopes of back-to-back play-off appearances are fading, having managed just two wins in their last ten games.

Game Preview

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Charlotte is battling a six-game winless streak in MLS, including three straight losses, and their recent 2-0 loss to Orlando City has reinforced their need for a turnaround to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The hosts' home form is worrying, with just one win in their last five games at Bank of America Stadium, the only victory coming against DC United in June, followed by two draws and two losses.

The importance of this game is heightened by Charlotte's challenge against a New England Revolution side that has won four of its last five meetings. Charlotte's lone victory came in their first-ever MLS meeting of 2022, a 3-1 home victory, while New England has since claimed narrow victories in each of its last four meetings.

With only two points separating them from NYCFC in sixth place, Charlotte knows they absolutely have to get all three points in this game. They know that Toronto FC, who are just two points behind, could overtake them if they don't get a positive result.

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New England Revolution enter this weekend's game in 15th place in the Eastern Conference with 28 points from 28 games, following a disappointing season with just eight wins, 16 losses and four draws.

The visitors' form has been particularly poor recently, picking up just two points in a four-game winless streak and throwing away a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw in their last game against Montreal.

The Revolution's defensive weaknesses have been a problem for them this season, conceding 56 goals in 28 games – the third-worst defensive record in the Eastern Conference.

New England's away form offers some hope, with the team winning four of their last 10 away games, including a convincing 5-0 victory over Montreal. However, the team's record has been marred by losses in four of their last five away games, including a 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake and a 3-0 loss to Orlando.

The Revolution are five points out of the playoff spots and time is running out. They need to win every game. While a win over struggling Charlotte could spark a late postseason comeback, New England's struggle to win is evident with just two wins in their last ten games.

Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:

Charlotte FC Form (All Competitions):

New England Revolution Major League Soccer form:

New England Revolution form (all competitions):

Team News

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Patrick AgyemangCharlotte FC's return from injury as a substitute in the last game was a welcome sight and now he is about to make his first start to provide a timely boost to the team's attack.

Jahlane Forbes Due to a hip injury, he is still out for the hosts and will not be able to play until mid-October.

The visitors will miss Brandon Bye And Will Sands The participation of both is considered questionable: Bye is struggling with ankle problems and Sands is struggling with foot problems.

Thomas ChancalayDue to his ongoing knee injury, he is unable to play for New England, which further exacerbates the team's injury concerns.

Possible Charlotte FC starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Ream, Uronen; Westwood, Diani; Biel, Bronico, Vargas; Agyemang

Possible starting lineup of New England Revolution:
Ivacic; Lima, Arreaga, Romney, Miller; Polster, Kaye; Langoni, C Gil, Bajraktarevic; Vrioni

We think: Charlotte FC 2-0 New England Revolution

Charlotte will look to capitalize on their home advantage, while New England's recent form and injury concerns could affect their performance, so we're banking on the home team to pull out an easy win here.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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