Verdict: LA Galaxy win
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Unibet
Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the table, LA Galaxy will welcome Dallas to Dignity Health Sports Park in the early hours of Thursday morning.
LA Galaxy
Starting with the hosts, while LA Galaxy might have enjoyed an eye-catching end to June, The Whites came crashing back down to earth last time out. Putting in what was a toothless display and their worst since returning from the international break, the former MLS champions were hit with a 2-0 defeat against Sporting KC. Losing some ground in the Western Conference title chase and now chasing a five-point buffer to league leaders Kansas, Head Coach Greg Vanney will be desperate to show that defeat was just a minor blip. While Galaxy might still find themselves seeking some much-needed stability, the former Toronto boss has still seen his new squad make a string of improvements after last season. Failing to secure themselves a Final Series spot last year, Los Angeles will now be hoping to end their recent blip on home soil. Including that 2-0 loss against Sporting last time out, Thursday’s hosts have suffered back-to-back defeats at Dignity Health Sports Park for the first time since opening 2021.
Team News
Suffering a hamstring injury against Seattle last month, defender Daniel Steres will once again miss out in midweek.
Fellow defender Derrick Williams will also miss out on Thursday as he continues to serve a suspension.
Dallas
As for the visitors, managing to come from behind and grabbing a last-gasp point at home against Vancouver last time out, Dallas are another MLS outfit who are really seeking some stability. While they might have stunned many across America as they picked up a shock 2-1 victory against a high-flying New England on June 28th, that is still the only victory that The Toros have recorded in their last eight attempts. Despite landing themselves a Final Series spot last season, Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez finds his squad battling it out at the foot of the Western Conference. Facing what could be another stern test when they travel to Carson in midweek, it should be noted that Dallas have gained a reputation for their rather glaring issues on the road. Last seen away from the Toyota Stadium getting hit with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of LAFC, Toronto have lost each of their last four MLS away fixtures on the spin by an aggregate score of 9-1.
Team News
Dallas still have a real injury headache on their hands this week as number one keeper Kyle Zobeck and defender Matt Hedges will once again miss out on Thursday.
Starlets Thomas Roberts and Beni Redzic will also be missing in midweek.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Thursday’s opponents last faced off, LA Galaxy landed themselves a 2-0 victory on home soil.
- However, The Whites have lost back-to-back matchups in Carson, their worst run in 2021.
- Likewise, Dallas have lost each of their last four away fixtures on the spin by an aggregate score of 9-1.
- Seven of the last eight meetings between LA Galaxy and Dallas in Carson have finished with over 1.5 goals.
- Thursday’s hosts have recorded just a single clean sheet from their last six MLS matchups.
Conclusion
While LA Galaxy might be in the midst of their worst home run in 2021, The Whites should be smelling a golden chance to make an immediate return to winning ways in midweek. Looking to bounce back from that defeat against Sporting KC last time out, Thursday’s hosts have still managed to make a string of improvements after missing out on a Final Series spot last season. Landing themselves a 2-0 victory when they last faced off against Dallas, it should also be noted that The Toros have continued to show a host of issues on the road. Losing their last four away fixtures on the spin by an aggregate score of 9-1, we’re backing a home victory here.
Verdict: LA Galaxy win
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Unibet
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