Los Angeles Galaxy will look to bounce back from a derby defeat to Los Angeles FC when they welcome Minnesota United to Dignity Sports Park on Wednesday.
Like their hosts, Minnesota are also looking for a response after their seven-game unbeaten run in MLS was brought to an end by Sporting KC.
Match preview
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The Galaxy's hopes of securing a playoff finish for the second straight season appear to be slipping away after they were beaten 4-2 by local rivals LAFC in Saturday's derby meeting at BMO Stadium.
They managed to fight back from two goals down on two occasions thanks to efforts from Billy Sharp and Maya Yoshida, but they were ultimately left empty-handed after Denis Bouanga and Timothy Tillman found the net in the final 15 minutes to condemn Greg Vanney's side to defeat.
Having failed to win any of their last three matches (D2, L1), the Galaxy are languishing in 13th place in the Western Conference with six points separating them from the playoffs.
With just seven matches left to play in the regular season, they desperately need to put a run of wins together, beginning with Wednesday's contest at Dignity Sports Park, where they have proven to be a tough team to beat in recent times, having avoided defeat in their last six home matches in MLS (W3, D3).
After scoring the first goal in all five of their MLS home wins this season, the opening goal will be crucial to the Galaxy's chances of claiming all three points.
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Minnesota put together a seven-game unbeaten run in the MLS (W3, D4), before they welcomed Sporting KC to Allianz Field on Saturday.
They looked set to extend their unbeaten streak until Sporting KC's Gadi Kinda netted an 84th-minute winner to condemn Adrian Heath's side to a 1-0 defeat.
After drawing consecutive games prior to Saturday's loss, Minnesota have now gone three games without picking up a victory, and they will be desperate to return to winning ways as they bid to retain their place in the playoffs.
As it stands, Minnesota are currently sitting inside the playoffs in eighth position, but they only hold a two-point cushion above the sides lurking just outside the top nine.
Minnesota will travel to Los Angeles with high hopes of claiming a positive result after picking up 20 points from their 14 away games — only Real Salt Lake have collected more points on their travels in the Western Conference.
Team News
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LA Galaxy striker Chicharito remains sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Gaston Brugman, Lucas Calegari and Martin Caceres are also ruled out with knee problems.
Jalen Neal has missed the last five matches with an abdominal injury, and the 20-year-old defender is unlikely to return for Wednesday's contest.
Having scored three goals in his first five games as an LA Galaxy player, Sharp will look to continue his impressive start to his MLS career when he features in a front three alongside Tyler Boyd and Diego Fagundez.
As for the visitors, they will travel to Los Angeles without the injured trio of Kervin Arriaga, Ryen Jiba and Robin Lod, who are all recovering from knee injuries.
Midfielder Will Trapp was also an unused substitute against Sporting KC, bringing an end to his run of 16 consecutive MLS appearances, but he is in contention to return to the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest.
Teemu Pukki will continue to lead the line for Minnesota, and the Finnish striker will be hoping to add to the three goals that he has scored since joining the club in July.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Cuevas, Yoshida, Mavinga, Edwards; Delgado, Rosell, Puig; Boyd, Fagundez, Sharp
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Dibassy, Bristow; Trapp, Gregus; Hlongwane, Reynoso, Fragapane; Pukki
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 1-1 Minnesota United
LA Galaxy will be determined to claim all three points to assist in their playoff bid, but we think that they will be held to a draw by Minnesota, who have avoided defeat in each of their last four MLS away matches.
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