Los Angeles Galaxy will look to strengthen their position at the top end of the Major League Soccer Western Conference on Thursday, when they make the trip to take on Minnesota United.
Both teams come into the game on the back of 3-1 defeats last time out, with the hosts stuck in 10th spot and their visitors sitting fourth after 11 league games.
Match preview
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After a commendable start to the league season, in which they won two and drew two of their first four games, Minnesota United have hit a tougher spell recently.
Adrian Heath's side firstly fell to consecutive defeats at the hands of Seattle Sounders and Austin FC, before bouncing back in impressive fashion by beating Colorado Rapids and Chicago Fire 3-1 and 3-0 respectively.
Since those triumphs, the Loons have had to endure three straight defeats in the MLS, with a 2-1 US Open Cup win over Colorado Rapids at least providing a reprieve after losses to Los Angeles FC and FC Cincinnati.
Heath's men were unable to build on that cup victory last time out, though, as they made the trip to Seattle Sounders and fell short, with Robin Lod's opener cancelled out by Raul Ruidiaz before Cristian Roldan and Nicolas Lodeiro sealed all three points for their opponents in the final 20 minutes.
That defeat leaves the Loons 10th in the Western Conference with just 14 points from their 11 games so far, and they will be keen to kickstart an improvement with what would be an impressive scalp on Thursday.
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Los Angeles Galaxy enjoyed a positive start to the new Major League Soccer season, as a run of three wins and a draw in April took their tally to 16 points from the opening eight matches.
That positive spell was put to an abrupt end following a 1-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake, but Greg Vanney's side were quickly able to get back to winning ways, as Marco Delgado hit the only goal in a 1-0 triumph away at Austin FC.
Following a narrow away win over California United Strikers in the US Open Cup, Galaxy took on FC Dallas on home turf on Sunday, and they had to endure a poor start as the visitors took a three-goal lead inside the opening 25 minutes, with Douglas Costa's second-half goal not enough to trigger a turnaround as they eventually fell to a 3-1 defeat.
Having dropped behind Dallas in the Western Conference as a result of that loss, Vanney's side will hope to rebound with a win on their travels on Thursday.
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Team News
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Minnesota United only have a couple of injury issues to deal with, as Hassani Dotson and Romain Metanire are sidelined.
Robin Lod will lead the line with a degree of confidence, having hit his fourth MLS goal of the season last time out.
Emanuel Reynoso is another threat going forward, while experienced centre-back Michael Boxall will be pushing for a return to the starting XI after Brent Kallman and Bakaye Dibassy were given the nod at the heart of the back four for the trip to Seattle Sounders.
Los Angeles Galaxy full-back Jorge Villafana will continue a spell on the sidelines as he continues to battle through a long-term injury.
Javier Hernandez will again spearhead their attack, having netted five goals so far this season after finishing joint-fourth in the scoring charts last term with 17.
Former Bayern Munich and Juventus winger Douglas Costa is another man to watch in attack, having netted his second goal of the league campaign last time out.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Clair; Fisher, Boxall, Dibassy, Lawrence; Trapp, Arriaga; Danladi, Reynoso, Fragapane; Lod
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Araujo, Coulibaly, Williams, Gasper; Raveloson, Delgado; Costa, Alvarez, Cabral; Hernandez
We say: Minnesota United 1-3 Los Angeles Galaxy
Despite their disappointing defeat last time out, there is plenty of quality in this Los Angeles Galaxy side, and we back them to outclass their hosts on Thursday.
Minnesota United find themselves struggling for form in the MLS, and we predict their wait for a return to winning ways continuing.
For additional data used by our team to analyse our suggested result please click here.
Top tip
Sam Varley
