Preview:Minnesota United vs. Los Angeles Galaxy - prediction, team news, lineups

Two struggling teams who could certainly do with a victory face off at Allianz Field on Sunday, as Minnesota United face off against Los Angeles Galaxy.

The home side are winless in their last seven matches, while the visitors boast just one win from seven games leading up to this weekend's contest.

Match preview

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Minnesota United were left red-faced as they fell to an embarrassing 5-1 defeat against Los Angeles FC at the Bank of Montreal Stadium on Thursday.

Adrian Heath's men opened the scoring through Hassani Dotson but trailed 3-1 at half time thanks to Denis Bouanga, before Miguel Tapias's own goal and a Filip Krastev strike wrapped up proceedings.

As a result, the Loons have dropped down to 12th in the Western Conference of the MLS table, three points behind FC Dallas in the race for a play-in spot.

Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have only come out on top in one of the last five editions of this fixture.

However, that solitary win did come in the most recent encounter back in September when Sunday's hosts fell to a 4-3 defeat in this season's earlier meeting.

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Los Angeles Galaxy were beaten for the first time in four matches courtesy of a narrow 2-1 defeat against Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field on Thursday.

Greg Vanney's men fell behind to Jordan Morris's early opener but drew level through Douglas Costa in the early exchanges of the second half, after which Cristian Roldan grabbed the winner in stoppage time.

With 35 points picked up from 31 matches this term, the Galaxy sit 13th in the Western Conference standings, three points adrift of their next opponents.

Currently with the worst defensive record on enemy territory in the entire division, Sunday's visitors will need to be wary of being on the receiving end of another thrashing away from home.

Team News

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Chicharito and Gaston Brugman are both unavailable for Los Angeles Galaxy through knee injuries, while Lucas Calegari misses out with a torn muscle.

The visitors will also be without the services of Martin Caceres, who is set to sit out a fourth game on the bounce due to an ankle problem.

Midfielder Riqui Puig has missed the last two games due to a knock and is set to be assessed to determine his availability for this weekend's clash.

Minnesota United's Robin Lod remains out of contention through a knee problem which has seen him sidelined for the last five months of action.

Ryen Jiba and Brent Kallman also miss out for the hosts, and the American duo are joined on the treatment table by 22-year-old Joseph Rosales.

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:

St. Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Tapias, Bristow; Trapp, Arriaga; Dotson, Reynoso, Hlongwane; Pukki

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Bond; Aude, Alfaro, Yoshida, Leerdam; Rosell, Cerrillo; Boyd, Costa, Fagundez; Sharp

We say: Minnesota United 2-1 Los Angeles Galaxy

Defensive deficiency has been the order of the day for both teams of late, meaning that a high-scoring affair is on the cards here. That said, we just about back Minnesota United to make home advantage count and come away with maximum points in the end.

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