Sacramento Republic currently sit in 5th position in the Western Conference, with 35 points from 22 games. Phoenix Rising are 8 points behind, but have 2 games in hand.
Republic come into this match off the back of a homestand in which they failed to win against the two teams directly above them (L 2-1 v Reno, D 2-2 v Swope Park).
This is the first meeting between the clubs this season. Arizona United beat Sacramento in their very first encounter, back in April 2014, before drawing three times and losing four.
Sacramento have the second best passing accuracy in USL. Three of their top four passers are defensive-minded. Expect this side to try and play the ball out from the back a lot more than other clubs at this level.
The visitors will be without their key playmaker Danny Barrera, who is currently injured. He’s created 43 chances so far this season – that’s the highest of any player in USL.
This game will mark the return of Tyler Blackwood to the desert. The former Arizona United player has six goals to his name this year, making him joint-highest scorer at Sacramento, along with Trevin Caesar.
