Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
One of the key fixtures of the upcoming MLS round will take place this Saturday at CityPark, where local side St. Louis City will host Los Angeles Galaxy. I’m offering a bet on the outcome of this clash at an attractive odd.
Match preview
St. Louis continue to struggle in their second MLS season, sitting second from the bottom in the Western Conference standings with just 14 points from 17 matches. The team’s inconsistency is glaring: only one win in their last five games and a total of 23 goals conceded this season — a clear sign of defensive frailties.
Nevertheless, St. Louis have shown a bit more confidence at home — two wins and three draws against three defeats. The home field advantage could be decisive against the league’s main underdog, whom St. Louis already defeated 3-0 away earlier this season.
Los Angeles Galaxy are in dire straits: dead last in the table, just one win all season, and a staggering 36 goals conceded. While their recent home victory over Real Salt Lake (2-0) gives a glimmer of hope, the team’s overall performance leaves a lot to be desired.
The Galaxy’s away record is particularly dismal: nine matches, no wins, two draws, and seven defeats. Without a change in mentality and tactics, the club faces an even more humiliating slide in the remainder of the season.
Probable lineups
- St. Louis City: Bürki, Totland, Kessler, Hebert, Horne, Watts, Valle, Leuven, Hartel, Teuchert, Becher
- Los Angeles Galaxy: Mikovic, Garces, Yoshida, Zanka, Nelson, Pes, Magole, Fagundez, Wynder, Gerillo, Berry
Three key facts ahead of the match:
- In their last five head-to-head encounters, Galaxy have failed to beat their opponent (2 draws, 3 defeats)
- St. Louis have kept a clean sheet in two of their last three matches against Galaxy
- Los Angeles Galaxy have not won away from home this season: 2 draws, 7 defeats.
Prediction
Both teams are going through a rough patch, but the hosts look a bit more cohesive and have enjoyed recent success against this opponent. With the backing of the home crowd and Galaxy’s woeful away form, a bet on a home win seems the most logical. Given the defensive vulnerabilities on both sides, it’s also reasonable to expect goals at both ends. Our bet for the match: "Both teams to score" at odds of 1.60.
