The Philadelphia Union welcome Columbus Crew to Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday afternoon in an early season Major League Soccer Eastern Conference "six-pointer".  

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The Philadelphia Union won their opening match 2-0, a relatively cagey affair against a short-handed New England Revolution at Talen Energy Stadium, courtesy of goals from homegrown starlet Anthony Fontana and veteran striker CJ Sapong. Meanwhile, Columbus Crew is arguably the hottest or one of the hottest teams in MLS at the moment.

The Crew shocked the league with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over reigning champions Toronto FC in Toronto with goals coming from Federico Higuain and Gyasi Zardes and followed it up with a thrilling last-gasp 3-2 victory over the Montreal Impact with Higuain and Zardes again providing the goals. 

Series History

Philadelphia is 8-11-1 all-time in MLS play versus Columbus having split the series last season with the Crew winning 1-0 in Columbus courtesy of a Justin Meram goal while Philadelphia emerged 3-0 victors four days later in Chester thanks to goals from Ilsinho, CJ Sapong, and Marcus Epps

Injuries and Suspensions

Philadelphia is relatively fortunate as far as injuries are concerned, with Borek Dockal recovered from an ankle injury and in line to make his debut, only Ilsinho (right hamstring strain) and Fafa Picault (suspension) will be missing.

Philadelphia's new DP signing Borek Dockal is expected to make his debut (Image Courtesy of Stuart Franklin/Bongarts)
Philadelphia's new  signing Borek Dockal is expected to make his debut
 (Image Courtesy of Stuart Franklin/Bongarts)
 

As for Columbus, the Crew is plagued by a number of long-term injuries. Mike Grella and Gaston Sauro (both left knee injury) remain out. Meanwhile, Josh Williams (right foot injury) and Luis Argudo (left thigh injury) remain questionable. Goalkeeper, Ben Lundgaard, and defender Alex Crognale have been loaned to USL sides Indy Eleven and Orange County SC respectively.    

Columbus' defensive depth could be tested without Josh Williams (Image Courtesy of  John Gress/Getty Images North America)
Columbus' defensive depth could be tested without Josh Williams
 (Image Courtesy of John Gress/Getty Images North America)
 

Predicted Lineups

Philadelphia's line-up should look largely the same as the one they put out against New England. Union coach, Jim Curtin said in his weekly press conference that Borek Dockal would play a part in the match but did not specify whether or not he would start.

Here's what the Union's lineup is likely to look like:

 

As for Columbus, they've remained consistent, fielding the same starting eleven in both of their previous matches. Barring a late injury here's what their lineup should look like:

 

Predicted Result

Columbus trading away their best players, poor attendance, and uncertainty about the future of the team have plagued the narrative around the Crew this season, but make no mistake, Saturday's game is going to be all about the soccer.

This fixture has never failed to excite, only one draw has ever occurred between the two sides and 62 goals have been scored in 20 all-time matches for an average of 3.1 goals a game.

As such, anticipate another thriller.

Predicted Score: Philadelphia 3 Columbus 2  

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