LA Galaxy vs Austin FC Prediction, Odds, Picks

• LA Galaxy have won two of their last three matches against Austin FC
• Austin FC are currently second on the Supporters’ Shield standings, two points behind Los Angeles FC who are first
• Both teams have at least two players who will be unavailable due to injuries or suspensions during this game

LA Galaxy vs Austin FC Odds

LA Galaxy vs Austin FC Prediction

LA Galaxy face Austin FC for the fourth time in their history, after meeting them twice last season and once already this season. Los Galacticos currently have a 2-1 advantage over the Texas side in those last three games, and we could see a draw between the two sides for the first time this weekend.

When the two sides first met, LA Galaxy managed a comfortable 2-0 win just over a year ago. Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez missed a penalty in the first half but Galaxy still went into the break ahead after Sebastian Lletget scored in the 35th minute. Chicharito made up for his missed penalty with the second goal of the game in the second half to seal the win for his side. Austin FC dominated possession but could not make too much with it in offense – they managed just two shots on target, compared to LA’s four.

The Texas side got theirs back in the reverse fixture, when they met again in September. Moussa Djitté and Orrin McKinze Gaines II scored in the second half for Austin FC to register a 2-0 win in a game that was dominated by LA Galaxy in the midfield. Galacticos were given a taste of their own medicine as they had 60% of the ball and more shots on target but still could not get a goal and ended up losing.

Austin FC were on a four-match winning streak when they met LA Galaxy earlier this season, and they were stunned. Marky Delgado scored in the 6th minute to hand Galacticos the lead, which was the lone goal of the match. The Texas side again dominated possession but only managed two shots on target, both in the second half. In all three matches, the side with the control of possession has ended up losing as the other team tends to sit back.

La Galaxy’s Form Has Been Worryingly Inconsistent

Greg Vanney’s side sit 9th in the MLS table right now, after picking up 20 points from their opening 13 games. They have managed to win six times in the league, but have lost five times and drawn twice.

Their season kicked off with a late win over New York Red Bulls, with Chicharito scoring in the 90th minute. They did dominate the match, but were unable to get behind the opponent’s defense until the very end. It was a similar story against Charlotte FC as well, where they struggled to get in behind. However, they managed to sneak a win thanks to Efrain Alvarez’s stunner in the second half.

Reality Check

Their luck finally ran out in gameweek three when they were beaten by the Seattle Sounders. LA Galaxy finally managed to score twice in a game thanks to Douglas Costa and Javier Hernández. However, they could not get the win as Jordan Morris, Fredy Montero and Xavier Arreaga scored for the Sounders to seal the win.

Orlando City managed to pull off a shock win over LA Galaxy, despite the home side having 20 attempts at goal. Facundo Torres scored the lone goal of the game in the sixth minute, as the Lions played a deep block and forced Galaxy to shoot from distance.

Galaxy then managed to get wins over Portland Timbers and Los Angeles FC but since then they have not managed to remain consistent. They first drew 0-0 to Chicago Fire, a side at the bottom of the table with just two wins this season.

A Winless Streak

They needed an 86th minute goal from Dejan Joveljić to get a 1-0 win over Nashville SC. but were beaten in the next game by the same score line. Real Salt Lake took all three points with ease after Marcelo Silva’s goal early in the second half was enough to separate the two sides.

It was yet another 1-0 scoreline in LA Galaxy’s next match, but this time they managed to win. Marky Delgado scored a goal in the 6th minute of the game and that was it. In Galaxy’s last three matches, they have picked up just one point. They lost 3-1 to FC Dallas at home and then drew 1-1 at Minnesota United. Houston Dynamo then managed to pick up an easy 3-0 win at the Dignity Health Sports Park last week. They are now facing another Texas side this week and will be hoping to end their winless streak.

Injuries and Suspensions

Jorge Villafaña and Adam Saldana are ruled out for Galaxy this weekend.

Austin FC’s Solid Start to the Season Is Over, but They Can Recover Quickly

Austin FC made the best possible start to this season by scoring five goals in back-to-back matches. They thrashed FC Cincinnati 5-0 on the opening weekend and then followed it up with a 5-1 win over Inter Miami – both coming at home.

However, they lost their first away game to Portland Timbers and were then beaten 1-0 by LA Galaxy. Austin then did well to go on a six match unbeaten streak with draws against Seattle Sounders and San Jose Earthquakes followed by wins over Minnesota United, DC United, Vancouver Whitecaps and Houston Dynamo.

 Dip In Form

Their form has now dipped and they have picked up just four points from their last four matches. It all started with a 1-0 loss at home to LA Galaxy – the side they are facing once again this weekend. Marky Delgado scored the lone goal in the sixth minute and that was enough to separate the two sides.

Real Salt Lake then stunned Austin with a come-from-behind win at the Rio Tinto Stadium. Alexander Ring handed Austin the lead in the 24th minute, but Daniel Pereira Gil’s red card turned the game on its head in the second half. The last man tackle saw Austin go down to 10 men in the 47th minute, and it did not take long for Real to equalize. Maikel Chang scored the goal eight minutes later before Andrew Brody sealed the win with two minutes left on the clock.

Diego Fagúndez and Ruben Gabrielsen helped Austin bounce back with a 2-1 win over LAFC in the next match, but they could not keep the momentum going and drew to Orlando City, despite the away side going down to nine men. Ercan Kara and Ruan scored inside the first 22 minutes to hand Orlando the lead at halftime. Sebastián Driussi managed to pull one back for Austin from the spot after Rodrigo Schlegel was sent off at the hour mark for a handball inside the box. Nine minutes later, César Araújo was also shown a red but Austin needed to wait until the 95th minute of the game to get the equalizer via Moussa Djitté.

Injuries and Suspensions

Brad Stuver, Freddy Kleemann, and Jhohan Romaña will be missing the game for Austin.

How to Watch LA Galaxy vs Austin FC