Los Angeles Galaxy will be aiming to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat when they welcome Real Salt Lake to Dignity Health Sports Park on Monday.
The away side, meanwhile, make the journey to California aiming to get back to winning ways off the back of an embarrassing loss last time out.
Match preview
© Reuters
Los Angeles Galaxy were beaten for the third game running following a 2-1 defeat against Vancouver Whitecaps in round two of the Leagues Cup on July 31.
Greg Vanney's men broke the deadlock through Riqui Puig and went into the interval ahead before Lucas Calegari's own goal and a Brian White strike turned the game on its head.
Back in league action, the Galaxy fell to a 4-2 loss in their last outing which left them bottom but one in the Western Conference of the MLS table, just three points ahead of Colorado Rapids.
Awaiting them next is the task of taking on an opposing outfit against whom the last eight clashes have yielded three wins apiece and two draws.
Currently on a run of consecutive home defeats, Monday's hosts will be keen to give their fans reason to cheer this time as they look to turn around what has been a disastrous season to date.
© Reuters
Real Salt Lake were dumped out of the last 16 of the Leagues Cup courtesy of a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Los Angeles FC two Wednesdays ago.
After a drab opening 45 minutes at BMO Stadium, a quickfire double from Denis Bouanga left Pablo Mastroeni's men with a mountain to climb, after which strikes from Nathan Ordaz and Filip Krastev sealed the deal.
While they endured a disappointing cup campaign, the Claret and Cobalt have been impressive in the league and sit third in the Western Conference standings, four points shy of division leaders St. Louis City.
Having let in 10 goals across their last four matches on the road, Monday's visitors will need to keep things tight at the back if they are to pick up a positive result away from home.
- D
- W
- W
- L
- L
- L
- D
- W
- W
- L
- W
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Los Angeles' Martin Caceres is currently battling with a long-term knee problem which has seen him fail to feature since the third week of June.
Javier Hernandez is also another guaranteed absentee for the hosts having ruptured his cruciate ligament in the most recent edition of Monday's fixture.
Damir Kreilach was at the double in the aforementioned game, and the midfielder will be looking to deliver the goods for Real Salt Lake once again.
Erik Holt is unavailable due to a shoulder problem, but 21-year-old Zackery Farnsworth is closing in on his comeback from a muscle injury.
Chris Mavinga is back in contention for a place in the starting lineup after the DR Congo international recently returned from a one-game suspension.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Micovic; Aude, Alfaro, Neal, Calegari; Aguirre, Rosell, Puig; Boyd, Joveljic, Costa
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Brody, Silva, Glad, Eneli; Gomez, Ruiz, Ojeda, Savarino; Arango, Musovski
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 Real Salt Lake
The last two meetings between Monday's opponents have yielded 10 goals combined and we are anticipating another action-packed contest here. That said, we are tipping the home side to emerge triumphant come the sound of the full-time whistle.
How to watch
You can watch Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Previews by email
The 2023 MLS season is now up and running, and you can watch every game live with the MLS season pass on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.
