Preview: Minnesota United vs. Los Angeles Galaxy - prediction, team news, lineups

Los Angeles Galaxy travel to the Allianz Field on Saturday to face Minnesota United in the Western Conference of the MLS, with both teams currently in the final series playoff positions.

Minnesota sit six points behind LA Galaxy, who are third on 32 points, but the Loons have one game in hand on Greg Vanney's side.

Match preview

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Adrian Heath's side are on a five-game unbeaten run in the MLS, dating back to July 8 when the side lost 2-0 against Colorado Rapids.

Within this unbeaten string of results, Minnesota have scored twice in four out of the five fixtures, including last time out when they were triumphant against Houston Dynamo.

Minnesota seemed comfortable throughout that game on Sunday, dominating possession and creating the most chances at the Allianz Field, and strikes from Robin Lod and Brent Kallman sealed the three points.

The weekend's result means that Minnesota are now five points clear of Real Salt Lake, who sit just outside the playoff places in eighth, however there is still lots of time for the table to change between now and the end of the season.

Victory against LA Galaxy on Saturday will take Heath's side to within three points of Vanney's team, and with a game in hand on their opponents it is a chance for Minnesota to take a big leap towards catching the third-placed side.

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Despite being higher than Minnesota in the Western Conference, LA Galaxy have suffered more losses this season than the Loons, but none of those have come in the last three games.

Vanney's side have won just as many games as Western leaders Sporting Kansas City this season, but have not turned enough of their defeats into draws to climb to the summit.

Their last outing was only Galaxy's second draw of the campaign and it was a closely-fought contest at the Dignity Health Sports Park against Vancouver Whitecaps which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Kevin Cabral gave the home side a half time lead but shortly after the break, Ranko Veselinovic equalised for the Whitecaps and that is how the game would go on to conclude.

Both sides created many chances in front of goal so Vanney may interpret the point as one gained rather than two points dropped, and that result has kept Galaxy in touching distance of Sporting KC at the top of the league.

Team News

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Minnesota have two players in the physio room as Michael Boxall and Franco Fragapane continue their recoveries from slightly longer-term injuries.

Winger Lod has been the player Minnesota have relied on most when it comes to scoring goals, currently the club's top goalscorer this season after netting six times, and his teammates are all at least four goals behind him.

Goalkeeper Tyler Miller has kept six clean sheets in the first 13 games, which is only two fewer than the league's leading number ones Joe Willis and William Yarbrough.

Galaxy's top scorer Javier Hernandez has not featured for the side since the end of June and he is likely to miss out again this weekend - the striker is expected to return to action this month.

Attacking midfielder Victor Vazquez is expected to be absent on Saturday having not played since July 31, and his creative ability will be missed as he has provided three goals for his teammates this season.

Vanney made three changes from the side which beat Salt Lake for their last game, but he could revert back to the same starting 11 that picked up the three points a week ago.

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Miller; Gasper, Dibassy, Kallman, Metanire; Dotson, Trapp; Finlay, Reynoso, Lod; Hunou

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Villafana, Williams, Coulibaly, Araujo; Grandsir, Raveloson, Saldana; Kljestan, Cabral, Alvarez

We say: Minnesota United 2-1 Los Angeles Galaxy

Minnesota are in good form in front of goal having netted twice in each of their last four games and that is likely to continue this Saturday, with LA Galaxy's defence shipping 28 goals already this campaign.

Both sides will be looking to cement their place in the playoff spots as the league edges closer to the halfway stage, but Minnesota could use their good home form - winning six of the nine games they have played at the Allianz Field - to their advantage.