Los Angeles Galaxy could potentially head to the top of the Major League Soccer Western Conference with a victory this Sunday when they host Houston Dynamo.
The visitors will be looking for an instant reaction from their recent defeat against Seattle Sounders as they look to get themselves into a playoff position.
Match preview
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LA Galaxy have had a strong start to the season so far which has led to them currently sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference heading into this match.
However, the past week has proven to be one to forget for the squad after they have had consecutive games without a victory after losing last Sunday, and then drawing in midweek.
Sacha Kljestan thought he had secured three points on Thursday when he scored an 83rd-minute penalty to give his team the lead, but they were unable to hang on as Robin Lod found the back of the next before the end of the game to see the game finish 1-1.
The draw provided a gap at the top of the table, but LA Galaxy remain just three points away from the top of the table, which could all change if they can secure three points this weekend.
Greg Vanney's men have had mixed results at home so far this season, having won three and lost two of their games, but they should be able to make the most of having their fans behind them.
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The visitors have struggled for consistency during the early stages of this campaign, but they are sat just outside of the playoff positions at the moment.
A victory on Sunday would give them a great chance of cracking into that, but they will need an improved performance from what they put on display in midweek.
Houston Dynamo were defeated 1-0 by Seattle Sounders after Raul Ruidiaz found the back of the net, with things going from bad to worse when Adalberto Carrasquilla was sent off.
The Orange Crush had picked up back-to-back victories prior to that, keeping consecutive clean sheets in the process, which had helped them to climb the league table.
However, Houston have just a single away victory to their name so far this season, which adds a distinct amount of pressure on them for this one.
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Team News
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Jorge Villafana is out of action at the moment due to a long-term injury, which is a situation that LA Galaxy have become used to throughout the start of this campaign.
The hosts will be boosted by the return of Sega Coulibaly, who had to miss out on the draw against Minnesota United in midweek after an accumulation of yellow cards.
Carrasquilla is not available for the visitors in this match due to him being sent off in their most recent encounter, while Adam Lundqvist still finds himself suspended from the game before that.
Sam Junqua was given the opportunity to fill in at full-back in midweek, and that is set to continue here, while Daniel Steres is not set to return from injury until the end of this month.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Araujo, DePuy, Williams, Edwards; Delgado, Raveloson; Grandsir, Costa, Cabral; Hernandez
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Zeca, Parker, Bartlow, Junqua; Picault, Fernandes, Ceren, Rodriguez; Ferreira, Quintero
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 Houston Dynamo
LA Galaxy have started the season stronger than their opponents this weekend, and that is the type of confidence that they should be looking to take into this match.
Even after two poor results in their previous games, they should still have too much for Houston Dynamo in this one.
For additional data used by our team to analyse our suggested result please click here.
