Both looking to bounce back from defeats last weekend, Los Angeles Galaxy and Orlando City will do battle in California on Saturday.
After consecutive wins, the hosts suffered their first loss of the Major League Soccer campaign last time out, while their visitors have had a mixed start in the Eastern Conference.
Match preview
© Reuters
After a disappointing MLS season last time around, in which they missed out on the playoffs, LA Galaxy enjoyed a winning start to the new term as they set their sights on a high finish this time around.
Greg Vanney's side began with a tough clash against MLS champions New York City FC, and the game looked set to end goalless until Javier Hernandez popped up with a 90th-minute winner.
They then made it back-to-back 1-0 victories as they beat Charlotte FC away from home thanks to Efrain Alvarez's 77th-minute finish.
Vanney's men were unable to make it three from three last weekend, though, as they eventually fell to a 3-2 away defeat to Seattle Sounders, despite Hernandez and Douglas Costa popping up with goals to make it 1-0 and 2-2 respectively.
While the league table should not be studied at this stage, Galaxy will know that three wins from four games certainly constitutes a strong start, and with their squad expected to fare well in the Western Conference this term, they will hope to establish themselves in the pack at the top of the division in weeks to come.
© Reuters
They welcome an Orlando City side who also made a winning start to the season, as Alexandre Pato and Benji Michel got on the scoresheet in a 2-0 home victory over CF Montreal.
That followed a strong season in their Conference last time around, as the Lions finished on 51 points from 34 matches before being dumped out of the playoffs in disappointing fashion in the first round.
In their bid to make it two wins from two, Oscar Pareja's side travelled to take on Chicago Fire, but they were only able to take a point as the game finished goalless before being handed a first league defeat of the season last time out.
The Lions hosted FC Cincinnati last weekend, and, despite Junior Urso drawing them level before the break, Brandon Vazquez netted his second goal of the game to condemn them to a 2-1 beating on home turf.
Pareja will certainly not be overly pleased with his side's shaky start, and they will hope to establish a run beginning on Saturday before the division truly takes shape.
- W
- W
- L
- W
- D
- L
Team News
© Reuters
LA Galaxy remain without Jorge Villafana and Adam Saldana, as the pair continue to battle through injuries.
Javier Hernandez has shown his clinical edge in the early stages of the campaign, and the Mexican will continue to lead the line having netted two goals in the first three MLS games.
He will again be supported by former Bayern Munich and Juventus winger Douglas Costa, who arrived in California prior to the campaign.
Orlando City headed into the new term without forward Daryl Dike, who departed for West Bromwich Albion in the off-season, although Brazilian star Alexandre Pato is more than competent to lead the attack.
Centre-back Robin Jansson returned to action after a suspension last time out, and he should again partner Antonio Carlos in front of Peruvian international goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
Junior Urso offers plenty of quality in midfield, while Mauricio Pereyra will support the front line.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Araujo, Coulibaly, DePuy, Edwards; Delgado, Raveloson; Costa, Cabral; Alvarez, Hernandez
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Teixeira, Carlos, Jansson, Moutinho; Araujo, Urso; Torres, Pereyra; Pato, Kara
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 Orlando City
Given the quality in each of their ranks, we predict a close encounter on Saturday between two well-matched sides.
LA Galaxy have been slightly more convincing in the early stages of the campaign, and for that reason, alongside the benefit of home advantage, we fancy them to scrape a narrow win.
Top tip
Sam Varley
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Los Angeles Galaxy win with a probability of 48.35%. A win for Orlando City had a probability of 26.85% and a draw had a probability of 24.8%.
The most likely scoreline for a Los Angeles Galaxy win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.4%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.44%) and 2-0 (8.35%). The likeliest Orlando City win was 0-1 (7.33%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (11.76%). The actual scoreline of 0-1 was predicted with a 7.3% likelihood.
