Los Angeles Galaxy play host to Real Salt Lake on Saturday night looking to end their prolonged winless streak in MLS.
At a time when the home side sit at the bottom of the Western Conference table, the visitors are not much better off in 12th position.
Match preview
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Having won the MLS playoffs last season, everyone associated with LA Galaxy would have had high hopes for 2025, yet they have suffered an unforeseen and unprecedented fall from grace.
Greg Vanney's side have incredibly failed to win any of their opening 16 matches in the Western Conference, accumulating just four points during that time.
Positives can be taken from only losing 2-1 and 1-0 respectively in their most recent two encounters against San Diego FC and San Jose Earthquakes.
Nevertheless, this is a team that has still conceded 36 times and scored only 13 goals, albeit five of which have come in the last four contests.
On a positive note, just seven of their 16 games have come at Dignity Health Sports Park, where they have earned half of their points for the season in their last four such fixtures.
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Real Salt Lake are another team that have suffered an alarming drop-off, going from a third-placed finish in 2024 to currently occupying 12th this time around.
Long-serving Pablo Mastroeni remains at the helm and is being trusted to lead a revival, yet they have won just one of their last nine games.
Three draws have been posted in their most recent six outings, a 1-1 draw at Austin FC last time out ending a two-game losing streak.
At this stage, though, Real Salt Lake sit eight points adrift of sixth place having played a game more than some of the teams above them in the standings.
When these two teams last met on April 5, Diego Luna scored both goals in a 2-0 win, the playmaker now up to eight strikes for the campaign.
Team News
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With San Jose Earthquakes having scored their decisive goal with 16 minutes remaining, Vanney may retain the majority of the La Galaxy XI that started the game that took place earlier this week.
However, key man Marco Reus was substituted just before the hour with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Diego Fagundez appears in line to take the German's place.
Christian Ramirez, who has four goals to his name in this season's MLS, could also get the nod over Matheus Nascrimento.
As for Real Salt Lake, Sam Junqua, Nelson Palacio and Philip Quinton are all in contention to be recalled to the starting lineup.
Emeka Eneli served a one-match last time out and is in line to be recalled in central midfield with Pablo Ruiz dropping out.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Micovic; Cuevas, Zanka, Yoshida, Nelson; Cerrillo, Sanabria; Pec, Fagundez, Paintsil; Nascimento
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
Cabral; Caliskan, Glad, Vera, Katranis; Ojeda, Eneli; Marczuk, Gozo, Luna; Agada
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 1-1 Real Salt Lake
Although LA Galaxy already find themselves in a perilous position, their performances in general are not as bad as they look on paper. With that in mind, we are backing them to earn a spirited draw this weekend, albeit in a low-scoring contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
