Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, are looking to claim a third consecutive victory after beating Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes in their last two matches.

Match preview

Since losing to Sunday's opponents on August 7, LA Galaxy have embarked on a four-game unbeaten run, which includes two wins and two draws.

Although they have conceded nine goals in those four games, the Galaxy have impressed in the final third, scoring 12 goals.

Their unbeaten run looked set to end in midweek when Toronto took a 2-1 lead into the final moments of the encounter, but Riqui Puig rescued a point with an 89th-minute strike.

The draw against Toronto leaves Greg Vanney's side in eighth place ahead of Sunday's contest, with one point separating them from the Western Conference playoffs.

After losing just one of their last five home games, the Galaxy will be confident of achieving a positive result on Sunday.

With 10 points separating them from the top seven and only six games left to play, Sporting Kansas City are set to fall short of the playoffs.

However, they will at least look to continue their promising form until the end of the season after winning three of their last four matches, including a 4-2 victory over the LA Galaxy.

After losing 4-3 to Sporting KC, Peter Vermes's side bounced back with consecutive victories, thrashing Portland Timbers 4-1 before they beat San Jose Earthquakes.

Daniel Salloi's strike in the 10th minute proved enough to guide to victory over San Jose, which represented a third consecutive home win for Sporting KC.

While their recent home form has been positive, Sporting KC have struggled on their travels, winning only one of their previous five away matches.

Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer form:

Sporting Kansas City Major League Soccer form:

Sporting Kansas City form (all competitions):

Team News

LA Galaxy are expected to be without the services of Julian Gaines and Erik Duenas due to injury issues.

After featuring as a second half substitute, Raheem Edwards could come into the starting lineup, which would see Chase Gasper drop out of the side.

Javier Hernandez will continue to lead the line, with the 34-year-old looking to add to the 12 goals he has scored in the MLS this term.

As for Sporting KC, hamstring injuries will prevent Tim Melia and Ozzie Cisneros from participating, while Kortne Thompson-Ford, Gadi Kinda and Alan Pulido are also sidelined.

Vermes could make a couple of changes to the starting lineup, with Logan Ndenbe and Felipe Hernandez in contention to come into the side.

Salloi scored his sixth goal of the season last weekend, and he will look to add to that tally when he starts in a front three alongside Johnny Russell and Willy Agada.

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Bond; Araujo, Coulibaly, Williams, Edwards; Costa, Puig, Brugman, Grandsir; Vazquez, Hernandez

Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:

Pulskamp; Zusi, Isimat-Mirin, Fontas, Ndenbe; Hernandez, Walter, Thommy; Russell, Salloi, Agada

We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 Sporting Kansas City

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