Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Minnesota United - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, are looking for an upturn in fortunes after losing their last four competitive matches.

Match preview

Although they have picked up four points from their previous two MLS games, LA Galaxy enter Wednesday's encounter in a downbeat mood after suffering a surprise home defeat to USL Championship side Sacramento Republic in the US Open Cup.

Rodrigo Lopez gave the visitors an early lead before a Conor Donovan own goal levelled the cup tie, but a 70th-minute strike from Luis Fernandes condemned LA Galaxy to a 2-1 quarter final defeat.

After crashing out of the US Open Cup, Galaxy will turn their attention back to MLS action, with Wednesday's hosts looking to cement their place in the playoffs.

Greg Vanney's side currently occupy sixth place in the Western Conference after collecting 24 points from their 15 MLS encounters.

If the Galaxy wishes to move up the standings then they need to improve on their current form, having won just one of their last five MLS matches.

Minnesota will be aiming to reduce the five-point gap to the playoffs when they travel to LA on Wednesday to face the Galaxy.

The Loons head into the midweek contest off the back of four consecutive defeats in all competitions, while their last eight MLS matches have yielded just one win.

They came close to picking up three points on Saturday against Inter Miami after Luis Amarilla found the net in the 65th minute to give Minnesota the lead.

However, two late goals from Indiana Vassilev condemned the Loons to a 2-1 away defeat, leaving them in 12th position in the Western Conference.

Minnesota will now head on their travels for a third consecutive game, and they will be looking to improve upon a run of form that has seen them lose five of their last six MLS matches.

Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer form:

Los Angeles Galaxy form (all competitions):

Minnesota United Major League Soccer form:

Minnesota United form (all competitions):

Team News

Jorge Villafana and Adam Saldana are expected to be absent due to knee and ankle injuries respectively.

The hosts are also set to be without the services of Douglas Costa and Sacha Kljestan who are both sidelined with injury issues.

After making a number of changes to the lineup for the cup tie against Sacramento, Vanney is expected to name a similar starting XI to the one that faced Portland Timbers in their most recent MLS encounter.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the injured trio of Hassani Dotson, Romain Metanire and Patrick Weah.

However, they will welcome Will Trapp back into the fold after the midfielder miss out against Inter Miami due to a one-match suspension.

Amarilla netted his third MLS goal of the season at the weekend, and the 26-year-old will be looking to add to his three-goal tally when he leads the line on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Bond; Araujo, Williams, DePuy, Edwards; Delgado, Raveloson; Cabral, Vasquez, Grandsir; Chicarito

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:

St.Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Dibassy, Lawrence; Trapp, Arriaga; Lod, Reynoso, Fragapane; Amarilla

We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-2 Minnesota United

Although Minnesota are currently struggling to pick up points, they have fared well in recent meetings with Wednesday's opponents.

Having avoided defeat in their last three matches with La Galaxy, we think Minnesota will continue that run by holding their hosts to a draw.

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