Verdict: Austin FC double chance
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Unibet
Two sides who find themselves battling it out at the top of the Western Conference table, LA Galaxy will host Austin FC late on Sunday night.
LA Galaxy
Starting with the hosts, while LA Galaxy might have shown some inconsistencies over recent weeks, the American heavyweights should be boosted by an eye-catching display in midweek. Extending on their US Open Cup adventure thanks to a thumping 3-1 win against local rivals Los Angeles, Head Coach Greg Vanney will be desperate for his side to build off of that display. However, last seen on MLS duties putting in a nightmare showing as they were blown away thanks to a 3-0 drumming against Houston, the Whites have mustered just a single point from their last three top-flight appearances. Nevertheless, still battling it out at the top of the Western Conference, the Galaxy should be boosted by their most recent meeting against Sunday’s guests. When they made the trip to Texas back on May 9th, the one-time Toronto boss saw his men pick up a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
Team News
After recording his first goal of the season, former Bayern Munich star Douglas Costa should join ex-Manchester United striker Chicharito in attack.
However, LA Galaxy will be without the likes of Adam Saldana, Jorge Villafana and Sacha Kljestan on Sunday night.
Austin FC
As for the visitors, managing to mount a stunning second-half comeback at home against Orlando last weekend, there is no doubt that Austin will be looking to build off of those positives. Eventually managing to snatch a 2-2 draw on home soil, Head Coach Josh Wolff has seen his side gain plenty of praise from across America this season. While the Texas-based outfit might have won just one of their previous four outings, they do open this weekend’s fixtures sat second in the Western Conference. Making a string of improvements since opening the 2022 campaign, Austin could be smelling the chance to lay down a real marker here. Likewise, last seen away from the Q2 Stadium picking up an eye-catching 2-1 win away at LAFC, Austin have gained a reputation for their success on the road. It should be highlighted, Sunday’s guests have mustered nine points from their last four MLS contests outside of Texas.
Team News
Already recording eight MLS strikes this season, Sebastian Driussi will lead Austin’s charge on Sunday night.
The duo of Zan Kolmanic and Jhojan Valencia will be hoping to keep their spots in Wolff’s starting XI here.
Key Factors to Consider
- While LA Galaxy might have picked up a 3-1 victory against Los Angeles in the US Open Cup in midweek, they have collected just a single point from their last three MLS matchups.
- Likewise, Sunday’s hosts have suffered back-to-back MLS defeats on home soil by an aggregate score of 6-1.
- Austin have collected nine points from just their last four MLS matchups away from the Q2 Stadium.
- The Texas-based outfit have seen four of their last five contests finish with both teams finding the net.
- The Galaxy have collected just a single clean sheet from any of their last seven matchups across all formats.
Conclusion
Although LA Galaxy might open Sunday’s meeting tipped as a leading shout with the bookies, they could be in for a tough test here. Despite finding a much-needed boost thanks to a 3-1 victory against LAFC on US Open Cup duties earlier in the week, Varney’s men have collected just a single point from their last three MLS matchups. Likewise, suffering back-to-back 3-0 and 3-1 losses on home soil against Dallas and Houston, Austin could be smelling a chance here. Mounting a stellar second-half comeback against Orlando last time out as they snatched a point, Sunday’s guests find themselves sat second in the Western Conference. Coming up against a Galaxy side that have recorded just a single clean sheet from their last seven attempts, we’re backing Austin to ask some questions here.
Verdict: Austin FC double chance
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Unibet
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