FC Cincinnati have been one of the most consistent teams in the MLS over the past few seasons but face a test of mettle in this clash with in-form New England Revolution.
The Knifey Lions have finished first and third in the Eastern Conference in the last two seasons, only to come up short in the play-offs each time.
Head coach Pat Noonan will be determined to go a step further this season and finally claim the big one, with Cincinnati looking in good shape again.
They sit second in the Conference table after winning nine of their 17 games but have a tough assignment on the road against a resurgent Revolution side.
New England were top dogs in the Eastern Conference just four years ago but they haven't reached the play-offs in two of the last three seasons.
That trend looked set to continue after a terrible start to this campaign that saw them win just one of their first six games in the MLS.
But the response since than has been terrific, with Caleb Porter's side going nine games unbeaten to move up to mid-table. They have games in hand on the teams above them so a victory here would fire them right back into the play-off picture.
How the bookies view it: Could go either way
BoyleSports are sitting on the fence for this one as they price New England at 6/4 and FC Cincinnati at 7/5, with the draw paying 5/2.
Recent head to head: Tide's turning for Cincinnati
These sides have only faced off 11 times before and it's New England who have the edge, with five wins, three defeats and three draws. But Cincinnati won 1-0 at home earlier in this season and have a decent recent record in New England, going three games unbeaten.
Players to watch: Feingold 14/1 to keep up hot streak
Ilay Feingold has been flying for the Revolution of late, with the wing-back scoring three times in his last two games. His confidence will be up so he looks a great long-odds option for anytime scorer at 14/1 with Bet365. The same firm price him at 11/4 to score or assist.
Kevin Denkey has been a shrewd signing for Cincinnati, with the former Cercle Brugge striker netting 10 times in 16 appearances this season. The powerful striker will be handful for New England's defence and is 7/5 for anytime scorer at Bet365.
Probable line-ups
New England look set to be without Brayan Ceballos, Leonardo Campana, Will Sands and Luca Langoni again. Cincinnati have fewer injury issues, with only Nick Hagglund and Yuya Kubo likely to sit this one out.
New England Revolution: Ivacic, Fofana, Beason, Hughes, Polster, Feingold, Miller, Yusuf, Chancalay, Gil, Ganago.
FC Cincinnati: Celentano, Powell, Flores, Robinson, Nwobodo, Buch, Orellano, Yedlin, Denkey, Evander, Santos.
Anything else catch the eye?
Although Cincinnati find themselves higher than New England in the standings, their form has been poor of late, with two draws and two defeats in their last four games. With New England on a nine-game run without defeat, they look good value at 6/4 with home advantage. Adding on over 1.5 goals boosts the odds to 21/10 at BoyleSports.
Four of the last five have ended level for the Revolution so it could also pay to back a tight game, with the half-time draw looking good at 11/10. Most goals have come in the second half in two of the last three for both sides so that bet also appeals here at 20/21.
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