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

The visitors also find themselves in the bottom half of the Major League Soccer Western Conference, with both teams looking to kickstart their campaigns properly.

Match preview

LA Galaxy have had a difficult start to the new campaign having picked up just three points from their first seven fixtures, with all of those being gained via draws.

Only goal difference is keeping them off the foot of the table right now, which is placing plenty of pressure on Greg Vanney, especially after their derby day loss during their most recent outing.

LA Galaxy put up a fight against Los Angeles FC, but Marco Delgado's 80th-minute goal proved to be too little too late as their rivals ended up winning the game 3-2.

However, it was a sign that Vanney is improving a major problem within his team which has been scoring goals, as the squad had only found the back of the net three times prior to that match.

Fortunately for LA Galaxy, four of those have taken place at home where they seemingly have more attacking confidence which they will need to implement this weekend.

However, the visitors are heading into this match on the back of keeping a clean sheet in their previous game which should have given them a defensive boost.

That match against Vancouver Whitecaps ultimately ended up goalless, but that was only their eighth point of the season, which has been inconsistent so far.

With two wins and draws alongside three defeats there is certainly room for improvement when it comes to upcoming performances from Austin FC, which they will be hoping to start this weekend.

Much like their opponents the Verde and Black will need to improve defensively as that has been a sticking point in the early moments of this season for them.

Despite that, a win in this match could see Austin FC climb to sixth place depending on other results, which would allow them to start kicking on and looking up, rather than over their shoulders.

Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer form:

D

D

D

L

L

L

Austin FC Major League Soccer form:

W

W

L

D

L

D

Team News

Former Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez made his first start of the season for LA Galaxy last time out, and his experience could be called upon once again.

However at the other end of the field Jonathan Bond remains sidelined due to a shoulder injury, but both Martin Caceres and Douglas Costa could be options following suspension.

After keeping a clean sheet against Vancouver Whitecaps it is unlikely there will be any defensive changes made for Austin FC, who should push a flat back four once more.

Unfortunately, the visitors will be without Zan Kolmanic for the entire season after he recently underwent surgery for an ACL injury that is going to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Klinsmann; Calegari, Zavaleta, Neal, Edwards; Brugman; Alvarez, Delgado, Puig, Boyd; Chicharito

Austin FC possible starting lineup:

Stuver; Gallagher, Ring, Vaisanen, Lima; Wolff, Pereira; Rigoni, Driussi, Fagundez; Zardes

We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 0-2 Austin FC

LA Galaxy have had a miserable start to the new campaign, and that is something that could end up continuing this time out as their offensive struggles could prove an opening for Austin FC.

How to watch

You can watch Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Austin FC and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Previews by email