HERRIMAN, Utah – Real Monarchs SLC will try to snap a three-game losing run on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN3) when it hosts Western Conference playoff hopefuls Saint Louis FC at Zions Bank Stadium in the USL Game of the Week.

Here are five things to watch for as the two sides square off in a crucial six-pointer for playoff positioning.

1. HEADING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS: The Monarchs enter the midweek clash on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Rio Grande Valley FC last weekend, a game in which the visitors threw away a first-half lead in the final 20 minutes of the contest. The defeat took Real off top spot in the West and handed the Monarchs their first three-game losing streak since June 2016. Meanwhile, STLFC boosted its playoff hopes with Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Reno 1868 FC as Kyle Greig’s 12th goal of the season was enough to earn a crucial three points.

2. POINTS AT A PREMIUM: STLFC joined eighth-placed Reno on 42 points with its victory on Saturday, but still sits outside of the playoff places on goal difference. The visitors begin a crucial week of play Wednesday against the Monarchs before travelling to face the sixth-place Swope Park Rangers at the weekend. Every point gained on this road trip will be critical for STLFC in its pursuit of 1868 FC and others. On the other side, a win for the Monarchs wouldn’t just snap their poor run of form but could help them seal a playoff berth by the end of the weekend if STLFC subsequently fails to collect all three points in Kansas City.

3. DESERVED BETTER: In their first meeting this season, the Monarchs went to Missouri and took a 1-0 victory thanks to Chandler Hoffman’s 15th minute penalty kick, but the result doesn’t tell the whole story. STLFC controlled the majority of the contest, registering 62% of the possession and placing eight shots on target compared to Real’s three, but couldn’t make the chances count.

“Last time we played them at home, I felt we deserved more as it was one of our best team performances all year,” STLFC Head Coach Anthony Pulis said. “They have lost a couple on the bounce recently so I’m sure they will be fired up and looking to regain their form so we will have to handle our business to make sure we come out with three points.”

4. COMFORTS OF HOME: After failing to pick up three points in each of their last six road matches (0-5-1), a return to Zions Bank Stadium will be a welcome one for the Monarchs despite a recent 2-1 home setback against San Antonio FC. Real still boasts an 11-1-1 record in its new venue and is a combined 24-2-4 in Utah since the start of the 2017 season.

5. DON’T HASSLE THE HOFF: Monarchs striker Chandler Hoffman made STLFC pay from the penalty spot in their first meeting and has been on good form at Zions Bank Stadium in recent weeks. Hoffman, who is Real's leading scorer with 11 goals this campaign, has found the back of the net four times in his last three home appearances, bagging a brace in wins against Tulsa Roughnecks FC and the LA Galaxy II.