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

The Loons have seven points from three matches heading into this game while the Black and Gold have four points from the same number of games.

Match preview

Minnesota United have started the season brilliantly, picking up a 2-1 win away at Austin in their opening fixture, before a 1-1 draw in their first home game of the season against defending champions Columbus Crew.

The Loons returned on the road last weekend where they kept up their good run with a 3-2 victory over Orlando City, in a game that was settled through Bongokuhle Hlongwane's 95th-minute goal.

With this result, Minnesota are second in the Western Conference, only behind league leaders Portland Timbers due to an inferior goal difference.

After what has been a brilliant start to the season, new manager Eric Ramsay will be eager to keep the momentum going against an opponent that they have drawn five times from 10 encounters.

Los Angeles have had a mixed start to this campaign, picking up a win, a loss and a draw in their three matches so far.

The Black and Gold kicked off their season with a 2-1 win at home against Seattle Sounders before they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Real Salt Lake, making it the earliest Steve Cherundolo's side have ever lost an MLS encounter since entering the league in 2018.

LA returned home last weekend but could only settle for a goalless draw Sporting Kansas, a game where both sides had numerous attempts but failed to find the back of the net.

Eight place and a negative goal difference after three matches will not be satisfactory for Cherundolo's men, who will have an ambition of making it to the playoffs for a third consecutive year.

However, they will have to deal with an in-form Minnesota side in a stadium they have never won, drawing four times and losing once in five visits.

Minnesota United Major League Soccer form:

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W

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D

W

Los Angeles FC Major League Soccer form:

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D

Team News

Minnesota will be without the services of Franco Fragapane for this match due to a thigh injury,, while Emanuel Reynoso is out for the foreseeable future with a knock to his knee.

Former Norwich forward Teemu Pukki bagged a brace in the win over Orlando and is expected to lead the line once again for this clash.

Hlongwane is also pushing for a place in the starting lineup after his match-winning heroics last time out.

Lorenzo Dellavalle is dealing with a right knee injury and is expected to be missing for LAFC once again.

Tomas Angel is questionable and will have to pass a late fitness test to determine his status ahead of Saturday's clash.

Reigning MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga is yet to find the net this season but is expected to retain his spot in the front three.

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:

Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Tapias, Rosales; Dotson, Trapp, Bran; Jeong, Pukki, Clark

Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:

Lloris; Hollingshead, Murillo, Long, Segura; Tillman, Sanchez, Ordaz; Olivera, Bogusz, Bouanga

We say: Minnesota United 2-0 Los Angeles FC

Minnesota have just one home win in five attempts against LAFC, but they are in good form at the moment and are the favorites heading into this fixture. The visitors are also finding it difficult to put the ball in the net, failing to score in their last two matches. We expect the home side to come out victorious here.

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