Philadelphia Union welcome Charlotte to Subaru Park for an MLS Eastern Conference clash. The hosts are keen to strengthen their lead at the top of the table while the visitors are targeting back-to-back away wins for the first time this season.
Philadelphia Union have earned their place at the top of the Eastern Conference having gone unbeaten in their last 11 matches in all competitions, leaving them four points clear. They have picked up seven wins in that run but were held to a 0-0 draw at Dallas in their previous fixture.
Bradley Cornell's men have been just as solid at home and are unbeaten in their last nine matches in front of their fans. However, their one blemish is a poor defensive record, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five home matches and throwing away a two-goal lead in a recent 3-3 draw with Inter Miami.
Charlotte arrive for this match off the back of a 2-0 win at Toronto FC in their previous MLS fixture. Manager Dean Smith will be keen to use that result as a springboard for resurgence having lost five of their last seven matches.
That result also ended a run of four away defeats for Charlotte, who will be keen to claim successive road wins for the first time this season. They have been involved in some high-scoring losses in that run like the 4-2 defeat to New York Red Bulls and were also beaten 4-3 at DC United.
How the bookies view it: Upper hand for Philadelphia
The bookies have installed Philadelphia Union as overwhelming favourites with BoyleSports offering 4/6 for a home win. An unlikely victory for Charlotte is priced at 3/1 while a draw is set at odds of 14/5.
Head to head: Philadelphia Union on top
Philadelphia Union have a 3-2 advantage with two draws from seven previous matches against Charlotte. The last meeting between both sides was a 2024 Leagues Cup clash, which ended 1-0 in favour of the hosts.
Players to watch: In-form Baribo
Tai Baribo has been the standout player for Philadelphia Union, scoring 13 league goals so far. He has also found the net five times in the last three home matches and could be set to maintain his scoring run (Tai Baribo anytime goalscorer at Evens).
With Patrick Agyemang on international duty, Liel Abada could be the one to watch for Charlotte. The forward has five league goals and could be worth keeping an eye on to score anytime at 11/4.
Probable lineups:
Ian Glavinovich, Mikael Uhre, and Neil Pierre remain out injured for Philadelphia Union, while Nathan Harriel is on international duty. Baribo could earn a start after returning from a knock as a substitute last time out while Kai Wagner and Jesus Bueno are also set to feature.
Charlotte will be without Idan Toklomati, Nathan Byrne and Nimfasha Berchimas due to injuries while Agyemang is with the national team. However, Abada, Pep Biel and Wilfried Zaha are expected to start.
Philadelphia Union: Rick, Westfield, Glesnes, Makhanya, Wagner, Bedoya, Bueno, Jacques, Bender, Donova, Baribo
Charlotte: Bingham, Marshall-Rutty, Malanda, Privett, Doumbia, Biel, Westwood, Bronico, Abada, Smalls, Zaha
Anything else catch the eye?
Philadelphia Union’s last four home matches have produced over 3.5 goals – priced at 7/5 with BoyleSports. They have also scored in both halves in their last two fixtures in front of their fans and could be set for a repeat (Philadelphia to score in both halves at 7/5).
The hosts have won the first half in six of their last seven home matches and that trend is likely to continue (Philadelphia Union first half win 5/4).
GambleAware