Looking to pick up their first set of consecutive away wins in the MLS this season, Los Angeles Galaxy visit the BMO Field to face Toronto FC on Thursday.
This will be the first league meeting between the sides since July 2019, when a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped the Galaxy ease to a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Match preview
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Toronto FC returned to winning ways last Sunday as they edged out Charlotte FC 2-0 when the sides squared off at the Bank of America Stadium.
Following a drab first half, new signings Lorenzo Insigne and Italian compatriot Federico Bernardeschi combined for both goals to hand the Crown a second straight loss.
Prior to that, Toronto saw their run of four games without defeat come to an end when they were beaten 2-1 by Inter Miami on August 21, with Jean Mota and Ariel Lassiter finding the target to hand the Herons all three points.
With 33 points from 28 games, Bob Bradley's men are currently 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, level on points with 11th-placed Atlanta United and three points off Columbus Crew in the final playoff spot.
After two consecutive road games, Toronto FC now return home where they are currently on a four-game unbeaten streak, picking up eight points from a possible 12 since July's 2-0 loss against Seattle Sounders.
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Los Angeles FC, on the other hand, picked up their first away win in the MLS since May when they held on for a 2-1 victory over New England Revolution at the Gillette Stadium on Monday.
After setting up Daniel Aguirre's fourth-minute opener, veteran forward Javier Hernandez latched on to a defence-splitting pass from new signing Riqui Puig to hand the Galaxy a 2-0 first-half lead before Carles Gil pulled one back for the hosts in the 82nd minute.
Prior to that, Greg Vanney's side were on a run of four consecutive defeats away from home while managing just one point from the last 15 available since a 1-0 win at Austin FC on May 9.
Los Angeles Galaxy have now picked up two wins and one draw from their last four games to rise into playoff contention as they now sit seventh in the West after picking up 37 points from 26 rounds of matches, albeit with one game in hand.
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Team News
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Toronto FC will take to the pitch without the services of Quentin Westberg after the veteran goalkeeper came off injured in July's 2-0 loss against Chicago Fire.
Mark-Anthony Kaye has missed the last seven games through an abdominal issue and the Canadian midfielder remains out of contention for the Reds.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Galaxy will be without 32–year-old defender Jorge Villafana, who has been out of action since February through a severe injury.
He is joined on the club's injury table by Mexican starlet Jonathan Perez, who is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game through a knee problem.
Hernandez took his goal involvement tally to 14 for the season last time out and the 34-year-old forward should spearhead the visitors' attack once again, alongside Dejan Joveljic, who has 10 goals and three assists to his name.
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Bono, Laryea, MacNaughton, Mavinga, Criscito; Kerr, Bradley, Nelson; Bernardeschi, Akinola, Insigne
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; DePuy, Coulibaly, Williams, Gasper; Aguirre, Brugman, Puig, Araujo; Joveljic, Hernandez
We say: Toronto 2-1 Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy appear to have hit their stride once again and will head into the midweek clash with sky-high confidence. However, we are backing Toronto to carry on with the momentum from last weekend's victory and hold out for a slender victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
