Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
One of the MLS regular season clashes will take place on Saturday, May 24, in San Diego, where the local San Diego FC will host the Los Angeles Galaxy. The match kicks off at 22:45 Central European Time. Let's take a closer look at the bet on the winner in this encounter.
San Diego
San Diego, the debutant of this MLS season, has been a pleasant surprise at the start. After 14 rounds, the team sits third in the Western Conference with 24 points. The squad is displaying confident football and is currently in great form—San Diego are unbeaten in their last four matches: three wins and a goalless draw in their most recent outing against Sporting Kansas City. Their defensive solidity is also worth highlighting—they've kept clean sheets in three of those four games.
At home, San Diego's record remains consistent: in eight matches on their own turf, they've suffered just one defeat, claimed four victories, and drawn three times.
As for head-to-head meetings with LA Galaxy, there’s only been one encounter so far—and San Diego already claimed a 2-0 away win back in February this year.
Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy, the reigning MLS champions, are currently enduring a serious crisis. The team simply can’t find their rhythm this season: Galaxy are winless in 14 consecutive matches, collecting only 4 points (four draws) in that span and sitting at the bottom of the standings.
Their defensive struggles are especially glaring—LA have the worst backline in the league, conceding 33 goals in 14 matches. Things look even grimmer away from home: the team is on a six-game road losing streak.
It’s also notable that Galaxy concede the most in away matches. In four of their last five on the road, they’ve let in at least two goals, underlining the serious issues in their defense.
For the upcoming match, the team will be without the injured Riqui Puig—a significant loss considering their current form.
Key facts and head-to-head
- San Diego have won 3 of their last 4 matches.
- San Diego have scored first in 3 of their last 4 matches.
- LA Galaxy have lost 5 of their last 6 matches.
- LA Galaxy have lost their last 6 away games.
Probable line-ups
- San Diego: Dos Santos, Verhoeven, McNair, MacVey, Bombino, Godoy, Tverskov, De la Torre, Maitan, Dreyer, Lozano.
- LA Galaxy: McCarthy, Yamane, Garces, Yoshida, Nelson, Parente, Cerrillo, Fagundez, Reuss, Paintsil, Ramirez.
San Diego vs Los Angeles Galaxy prediction
San Diego come into the match in far better form and, given LA Galaxy’s struggles, look like clear favourites. The home side consistently picks up points, plays confidently on their own pitch, and boasts a solid defense. Meanwhile, Galaxy, despite being reigning champions, have completely collapsed: 14 games without a win, the league’s worst defense, and poor results on the road. My prediction for this match—a San Diego victory at odds of 1.63.
