Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Austin FC - prediction, team news, lineups

Los Angeles Galaxy's resurgence could continue on Wednesday when they host Austin FC at Dignity Health Sports Park in gameweek 23.

Although the Galaxy are at the bottom of the MLS Western Conference, last year's playoff winners are finally returning to form, and they aim to secure three wins in a row for the first time this season, something they should target against a team that are winless in two matches.

Match preview

LA Galaxy's season began poorly, but Greg Vanney’s men have gradually found some positivity in recent weeks.

While Los Galacticos remain at the bottom of the Western Conference with 15 points after 22 games, the Galaxy are one of the form teams in the league.

Going into Wednesday night, the Galaxy are fifth in the form table, having earned eight points in their last five games—a clear sign of their recovery.

Unbeaten since their loss to Colorado Rapids at the end of June, Vanney's team are three matches undefeated heading into the midweek fixture, aiming to extend their unbeaten run to four at the expense of Austin.

Although it is unlikely they will climb out of the bottom of the table in round 23 unless St Louis City suffer a heavy defeat and the Galaxy win their match comfortably, Los Galacticos, who have secured three consecutive home victories against Real Salt Lake (2-0), Vancouver Whitecaps (3-0) and DC United (2-1), now seek a fourth straight win to maintain their revival.

Aiming to avoid becoming the fourth visiting team to lose at Dignity Health Sports Park this season, Austin enter the midweek round winless in two matches after claiming just one point from six available.

Recent results have followed the Verde and Black wins over the Colorado Rapids (2-0) and New York Red Bulls (2-1), which pointed to a turnaround in fortunes for Nico Estevez’s side after eight previous MLS games without a win.

However, the last two results mean those wins are Austin's only successes in their last 10 league fixtures, placing Los Verdes third-bottom in the form table over that period with 11 points, only better than St Louis (eight) and Dallas (six).

Further underlining their struggles are their poor away record — just three wins in 10 MLS matches this year, with three of their six defeats on the road occurring in their last five away games.

Such statistics reduce the chances of the ninth-placed team in the Western Conference, who are only one point ahead of the Houston Dynamo and two points ahead of 11th-placed Real Salt Lake heading into Wednesday's round, from maintaining their current position if they lose and results elsewhere do not go in their favour.

Los Angeles Galaxy MLS form:

Los Angeles Galaxy form (all competitions):

Austin FC MLS form:

Austin FC form (all competitions):

Team News

With the Galaxy experiencing no apparent injury issues in the win over DC United, Riqui Puig (knee) remains the home side's only absentee for the foreseeable future.

Marco Reus has already scored five times and assisted six for the LA-based outfit this season, including netting the opener in the 2-1 victory over DC United, and the veteran German aims to play a significant role for the 2024 MLS Cup winners.

Like Los Galacticos, Austin suffered no new injury concerns against the New England Revolution, leaving top scorer Brandon Vazquez (knee) as the only reported injury absentee.

Without their top scorer, only Guilherme Biro has scored more than once for the away side this year, highlighting the struggles of the 15-goal team in MLS — no team has fewer in the Eastern and Western Conferences.

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Micovic; Yamane, Yoshida, Garces, Aude; Cerrillo, Sanabria; Fagundez, Reus, Paintsil; Nascimento

Austin FC possible starting lineup:

Stuver; Desler, Cascante, Hines-Ike, Kolmanic; Sanchez, Pereira, Bukari, Rubio, Gallagher; Uzuni

We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 Austin FC

With the Galaxy finally securing wins this season after early difficulties, the hosts are expected to gather maximum points once more at Austin's expense.

Having scored twice or more in their last three home victories, the LA team should maintain that pattern in a routine success over their visitors, who tend not to travel well.

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