Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia

Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 24 August 2023, 20:44
Two teams undergoing a rough patch at the moment lock horns at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday as Los Angeles Galaxy play host to Chicago Fire.

Both sides are currently on a three-game losing streak heading into this weekend's affair, and neither will want to come away empty-handed.

Match preview

Los Angeles Galaxy wrapped up their Leagues Cup campaign in disappointing fashion with a 2-1 loss against Vancouver Whitecaps on July 31.

Greg Vanney's men led at half time through Riqui Puig's strike before Lucas Calegari's own goal and a late Brian White winner turned the game on its head.

Albeit with a couple of games in hand, the Galaxy are currently bottom but one in the Western Conference, a whopping 10 points adrift in the race for the final playoff spot.

Their next task sees them entertain the challenge of an opposing outfit who are without a victory in 13 straight editions of this fixture.

Having won their last two domestic matches on home turf, Sunday's hosts will be hopeful of kickstarting their campaign with three much-needed points here.

Chicago Fire were on the receiving end of an agonising 3-1 defeat against Orlando City in Monday's contest between the teams at Soldier Field.

Frank Klopas's men got off to a good start and broke the deadlock through Mauricio Pineda before quickfire goals from Wilder Cartagena and Ivan Angulo threw a spanner into the works.

As a result, the Men in Red have dropped down to ninth place in the Eastern Conference, now six points behind Atlanta United in the battle for playoff contention.

Ahead of a crunch encounter against fellow playoff hopefuls Vancouver Whitecaps four days later, Sunday's visitors simply cannot afford to lose further ground in the race for a post-season berth.

Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer form:

D

D

D

W

W

L

Los Angeles Galaxy form (all competitions):

Chicago Fire Major League Soccer form:

W

L

W

W

W

L

Chicago Fire form (all competitions):

Advert - content below:

Team News

Martin Caceres will not play any part for Los Angeles Galaxy in this one as the veteran defender continues to recover from a long-term injury.

Thirty-five-year-old Javier Hernandez is also unavailable for the home side due to a knee injury, which has kept him out of action since June.

Chicago Fire's Chris Mueller is still battling with a hip injury, and the American international is not expected to make his comeback anytime soon.

Xherdan Shaqiri will be looking to continue his goalscoring streak away from home, having found the back of the net in three straight matches on the road.

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Micovic; Calegari, Neal, Alfaro, Aude; Aguirre, Rosell, Puig; Boyd, Joveljic, Costa

Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:

Richey; Dean, Pineda, Teran, Navarro; Doumbia, Gimenez; Gutierrez, Haile-Selassie, Shaqiri; Koutsias

We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 Chicago Fire

The goals have dried up a bit for both teams of late but we expect an open and end to end affair on Sunday. We also fancy the hosts to come out on top, albeit by only a narrow margin.

How to watch

You can watch Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire 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
Show more

Top News

18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk For the first time in the CONCACAF Nations League, Canada and Mexico will face each other, with a spot in the final at stake on Thursday at SoFi Stadium. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In the first semi-final of the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League, the reigning three-time champions, the USA, host Panama on Thursday at SoFi Stadium in California. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk On Thursday Jordan will look to climb into a top two position when they host Palestine at Amman International Stadium on matchday seven of the World Cup 2026 qualification cycle for both teams. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to step up their pursuit of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen over the international break. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly included Victor Osimhen on a four-man striker shortlist for the summer transfer window. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town have reportedly been impressed by Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland but could face competition from Sunderland for his signature. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The first international break of the year will see Liberia take on Tunisia at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex this Wednesday in the fifth round of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The first clash in this international break's double-header sees the Central African Republic face Madagascar at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in neutral Morocco on Wednesday in the fifth round of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifying series. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly prepared to consider selling Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz as it emerges they have seemingly made contact with Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak. 17 March 2025 talksport.com A Bulgarian first division team held a minute's silence for a former player... only to later discover he's still alive. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lionel Messi has been omitted from Argentina's squad list for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. 17 March 2025 talksport.com After some backlash to his claims that he's the greatest player of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo has some support in the opposition dugout. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Reigning European champions Barcelona Women will head to Germany for Wednesday's Women's Champions League clash against Wolfsburg Women. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Just a few days after they face off in the Women's League Cup final, Manchester City Women will lock horns with Chelsea Women in the first leg of the Women's Champions League quarter-finals. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has left the club, the Premier League side have announced. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany is a "big fan" of Oscar Bobb and is delighted to see the youngster edging closer to a first-team return after being "robbed of a year" due to injury. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool should prioritise Virgil van Dijk's contract renewal over Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, former Reds striker Emile Heskey has told Sports Mole. 17 March 2025 talksport.com The first major question surrounding Thomas Tuchel as England manager has been answered. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is allegedly attracting interest from another Premier League club. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is reportedly targeting a long-awaited return from a hamstring injury in time for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified another two potential replacements for head coach Ange Postecoglou. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Robbie Fowler is hopeful Trent Alexander-Arnold will remain at Liverpool this summer. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool allegedly have plans to entertain offers for at least one of their regular attacking players during the summer transfer window. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that the performance of Omar Marmoush against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend has sent a "slight warning" to his out-of-form teammate Phil Foden. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool should be pursuing Newcastle's Alexander Isak, regardless of Mohamed Salah's future at Anfield. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The elusive quadruple that Liverpool fans are still pining for remains out of sight for now, but come the sunshine of May, Arne Slot and his crop will surely be proudly parading their Premier League trophy. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Sergio Ramos' cheeky post on social media proved he is well aware of his reputation for being a red card magnet. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Simon Jordan dubbed Martin Keown a 'clown' during a furious clash over Liverpool and Arsenal's trophy hopes live on talkSPORT. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are likely to at least resolve the contract situations of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the coming months, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed.