Real Salt Lake, the 2013 Western Conference Playoff winners are finding life tough in Major League Soccer this season. Currently sitting bottom of the Western Conference with 17 points from their 19 games played, they need a fantastic run of wins towards the end of the season, if they are to climb into the Final Series Playoff positions.
In the mid-week MLS fixtures, Real Salt Lake travel to California to play LA Galaxy. The Galaxy traditionally host a match on the 4th July and this will be the first time Real Salt Lake have been part of the celebrations.
LA Galaxy come into this match sitting 6th in the Western Conference and needing points if they are to make the automatic Final Series positions.
LA Galaxy Form
LA Galaxy have been very inconsistent this season and therefore find themselves on the edge of the playoff positions. Following 5 wins and 4 draws in the MLS, LA Galaxy have lost 2 of their last 3 league games.
The defeats came at San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday and at home to Sporting Kansas City on the 25th June. It’s at home where LA Galaxy have had problems recently, failing to win any of their previous 5 league games and winning just 1 of their last 8.
Real Salt Lake Form
While LA Galaxy have been inconsistent, Real Salt Lake’s form has simply been poor. They have won just 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions and 5 of their last 12 in the MLS.
Real Salt Lake have won only 1 away game in the MLS all season and have tasted defeat in each of their last 6 league games on the road. The majority of those 6 defeats have been heavy, losing 3-0, 4-0, 5-1 and 6-2, leaving Real Salt Lake with the worst goal difference in the Western Conference.
Team News
LA Galaxy must make do without defender Jelle Van Damme who is suspended and Gyasi Zardes is away with the US national team. Jermaine Jones and Bradley Diallo are rated as doubtful but Ashley Cole and Romain Alessandrini could make a return to the starting XI.
Real Salt Lake also have a player suspended and midfielder Sunny will miss the game having picked up 5 yellow cards. Nick Rimando is away on international duty, while Chad Barrett, Jordan Allen and Omar Holness are all injured.
Top Betting Tips
Despite their inconsistency at home, LA Galaxy come into this match as the favourites and rightly so considering Real Salt Lake’s awful away record. You can back LA Galaxy to get the win at 5/6 with Ladbrokes.
Both teams have been struggling to defend this season. LA Galaxy have conceded an average of 1.5 goals at home in the Western Conference, while Real Salt Lake have conceded a total of 21 goals in their last 6 away games, averaging 3.5 goals per game. LA Galaxy to win and over 2.5 goals is on offer at 13/8 with Ladbrokes.
Real Salt Lake have lost 4 of their last 6 away games by a wide margin and Ladbrokes offer 7/4 for LA Galaxy to win the game by 2 or more goals.