Preview: Austin FC vs. Los Angeles FC - prediction, team news, lineups

The Texas-based outfit are in their inaugural MLS season and won on home turf at the third attempt against Portland Timbers last week.

Match preview

Austin's previous two home games in MLS had both finished goalless against San Jose Earthquakes and Columbus Crew, but the party finally started when Jon Gallagher opened the scoring against the Timbers in the 28th-minute.

Diego Fagundez, Alex Ring and Hector Jimenez all got in on the act as Josh Wolff's side went on to triumph 4-1, ending an eight-game winless run in the process.

It was just their third victory in 12 MLS games so far, but lifted them to 10th in the Western Conference and to within two points of a playoff spot.

It seemed as if Wolff released the shackles from his side against the Timbers, as they netted four goals having only scored six times in their previous 11 matches. Only Inter Miami (nine) have scored fewer goals across both Eastern and Western conferences so far this season.

Austin remain at home for their next encounter too as high-flying Seattle Sounders visit the Q2 Stadium before they travel to the struggling Vancouver Whitecaps.

LAFC finally got their first away win of the season in their fifth attempt last time out, as Jose Cifuentes's second half goal proved enough to beat Real Salt Lake 1-0.

The Black and Gold will now look for back-to-back victories for the first time in the 2021 campaign, as they have struggled to find consistency so far; winning only four of their 11 matches.

They sit fifth in the Western Conference with 15 points, but know they will be overtaken by Austin if they are defeated in Texas.

Bob Bradley's side were 2-0 winners in the reverse fixture at the Banc of California Stadium on the opening weekend of the season in April, as Corey Baird and Cifuentes netted in the second half.

This fixture is not only an important game in MLS but in Hollywood too, as Austin are co-owned by Matthew McConaughey and LAFC are co-owned by Will Ferrell.

According to McConaughey, the pair got into a friendly "war of words" before the match earlier in the season.

Austin FC Major League Soccer form:

Los Angeles FC Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Jon Gallagher is a doubt for Austin as he came off after 45 minutes against Portland Timbers with a foot injury and was seen on crutches at halftime.

If sidelined, he would join Danny Hoesen (hip), Nick Lima (hamstring), Aaron Schoenfeld (knee), Ulises Segura (knee) and Ben Sweat (ACL) on what is already a pretty unfortunate injury list for the Texas outfit.

Jared Stroud would be the most probable option to replace Gallagher in the starting lineup, but Josh Wolff is unlikely to make too many other changes following such a convincing win.

Jose Cifuentes's winning goal against Real Salt Lake as a substitute should earn him his place back in the LAFC starting lineup.

Kwadwo Opoku remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Diego Palacios exited the Copa America with Ecuador on Saturday but will still be unavailable for at least one more game.

Captain Carlos Vela completed 90 minutes for only the second time this season against Real Salt Lake as he gets back up to speed following a hamstring injury, and he will be eager to get on the scoresheet after notching just once so far.

Austin FC possible starting lineup:

Stuver; Jimenez, Cascante, Besler, Kolmanic; Pereira, Ring, Pochettino; Stroud, Dominguez, Fagundez

Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:

Romero; Kim, Murillo, Segura, Farfan; Blessing, Atuesta, Cifuentes; Vela, Baird, Rossi

We say: Austin FC 1-1 Los Angeles FC

Austin's win over Portland Timbers will give them a huge confidence boost going into this game and they will fancy their chances against an inconsistent LAFC side. The visitors do possess plenty of attacking talent though, making this a tough one to call; we are going for a draw.