Preview: Seattle Sounders vs. Los Angeles Galaxy - prediction, team news, lineups

Los Angeles Galaxy will look to keep their lingering playoff hopes alive when they travel to Lumen Field to face Seattle Sounders on Wednesday.

The Sounders, meanwhile, head into their final three games in third place in the Western Conference after collecting 46 points from their 31 MLS matches.

Match preview

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Seattle look well set to secure their place in the first round of the playoffs with four points separating them from the teams sitting outside of the top seven.

The Sounders will be hoping to wrap up a first-round spot on Wednesday, and they will certainly go into the contest in a positive mood after putting together a six-game unbeaten run.

After taking a point off Minnesota United and beating Austin FC, Seattle played out consecutive draws, before they returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Colorado Rapids.

Although they were unable to claim maximum points in Saturday's goalless draw with Nashville, Seattle would have been pleased to claim their first clean sheet since July.

Following three consecutive away matches, Brian Schmetzer's side will now return to Lumen Field, where they will attempt to end their three-game winless home run (D2, L1).

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LA Galaxy have significant work to do in their final four games if they are to reach the post-season for the second year in a row, with Greg Vanney's troops sitting in 13th position in the Western Conference with six points separating them from ninth-placed Dallas, who have played a game more.

After losing out to local rivals Los Angeles FC on September 21, the Galaxy bounced back with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Minnesota United.

Since that result, the Galaxy have been involved in two entertaining 3-3 draws after coming from 3-1 down to take a point off Austin FC, before they missed the chance to claim maximum points against Portland.

Goals from Eriq Zavaleta either side of a Douglas Costa strike gave Galaxy a 3-2 lead at half time of Saturday's home meeting with the Timbers, but Felipe Mora managed to find an equaliser in the 76th minute to ensure that the spoils were shared.

Having conceded 54 goals in 30 matches, the Galaxy currently have the worst defensive record in MLS, and after shipping at least two goals in each of their previous five games, they will need to offer a significant improvement in Wednesday's contest if they are to have any hope of claiming a precious victory.

Team News

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Seattle are unable to call upon the services of Sota Kitahara, while there are doubts surrounding the availability of Albert Rusnak and Cody Baker.

After serving a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, left-back Nouhou Tolo is set to return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.

Jordan Morris did not feature against Nashville after missing most of training last week, but he could be passed fit to lead the line against the Galaxy.

As for the visitors, they are having to contend with a lengthy injury list which includes Chris Mavinga, Lucas Calegari, Jalen Neal, Martin Caceres and Chicharito.

Former Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig is also a doubt after missing the 3-3 draw with Portland due to an ankle problem.

After being left out of Saturday's starting lineup, defender Kelvin Leerdam could return to the side for Wednesday's away trip.

Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:

Frei; A. Roldan, Gomez, Ragen, Nouhou; Paulo, Atencio; C. Roldan, Lodeiro, Chu; Morris

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Bond; Leerdam, Zavaleta, Yoshida, Edwards; Cerrillo, Rosell, Delgado; Costa, Boyd, Sharp

We say: Seattle Sounders 2-2 Los Angeles Galaxy

Although the Galaxy need to pick up maximum points to help their playoff bid, we think that their leaky defence will be their downfall once again, and as a result, we believe that the visitors will be held to a third consecutive draw.

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