The 2017 MLS season has been one of huge disappointment for LA Galaxy and time is starting to run out on them as they attempt to claim a playoff place. Having played 22 games in the Western Conference, LA Galaxy find themselves down in ninth place, just 2 points clear of Colorado Rapids who are propping up the table. The priority for LA Galaxy must be to move away from the bottom of the table.
If they can do that by winning this weekend, there is the potential to close the gap to the playoff places to 6 points.
La Galaxy will host New York City of the Eastern Conference. New York City are currently third in the Eastern Conference with 40 points from 23 games played. That’s 17 points more than LA Galaxy have achieved having played only 1 game more.
LA Galaxy Form
To say LA Galaxy are in poor form is an understatement and they have failed to win any of their last 7 MLS games.
During those 7 games, there have been 6 defeats and just 1 draw, which was 0-0 at home to Seattle Sounders. There have been home defeats to Sporting Kansas City, Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps.
There have been away defeats to San Jose Earthquakes, New England Revolution and last weekend at Portland Timbers.
Between the 14th May and 20th June LA Galaxy enjoyed a run of 5 games unbeaten away from home in the MLS but at home form has been terrible all season. They have picked up just 1 victory and have lost 6 of their 11 games.
New York City Form
New York City have been inconsistent of late, winning 2, losing 2 and drawing 1 of their last 5 MLS games.
Both victories came at home and both defeats away from home, losing 3-2 at Vancouver Whitecaps and 4-0 at Toronto. New York City have been conceding plenty of goals recently and have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 6 MLS games.
Away from home in the MLS this season, New York City have picked up 4 wins from 11 games played, drawing 1 and losing the remaining 6 games. It’s difficult to predict what you will get from New York City on the road but one thing which seems certain is goals.
Team News
LA Galaxy are without the injured trio of Baggio Husidic, Sebastian Lletget and Robbie Rogers, the latter of which is out for the season. Romain Alessandrini is a doubt and Jelle van Damme is suspended.
New York City have Maxi Moralez suspended for this game and will also be without Miguel Camargo, Maxime Chanot, Ronald Matarrita and James Sands who are all injured.
Top Betting Tips
While New York City are not the most consistent team away from home in the MLS, they have shown they can win games on the road. LA Galaxy on the other hand have been terrible at home and could be without some of their most influential players. New York City are a tempting 10/11 with Ladbrokes in the draw no bet market.
New York City have seen over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 away MLS games and LA Galaxy in 4 of their last 6 at home. Over 2.5 goals is 4/7 with Ladbrokes and New York City to win and over 2.5 goals is 9/4 at William Hill.
David Villa is the top goal scorer in the MLS this season and is coming off the back of a hattrick in his last match in the New York derby. Villa is 10/3 with Ladbrokes to score the first goal of the game.