St Louis and LA Galaxy will square off in a crunch clash in MLS at Energizer Park on Saturday night.
The two teams have struggled for form this season, with St Louis sitting second bottom in the Western Conference, while LA Galaxy are propping up the table.
That being said, the two teams have shown some signs of improvement in their recent MLS outings.
St Louis banked maximum points from their last home match, hitting a last gasp-winner to claim a 2-1 success against San Jose Earthquakes.
However, David Critchley’s side were unable to build on that victory when falling to a 2-1 defeat at Portland Timbers last time out.
As for LA Galaxy, they finally secured their first MLS win of the season, recording a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake last weekend.
How the bookies view it: St Louis set for another home success
As already mentioned, St Louis won their most recent home match in MLS, and they are expected to do so again here, with the hosts 20/23 favourites on Boylesports.
Fresh off the back of their first league win of the season, LA Galaxy are as big as 13/5 (Boylesports) to emerge from Energizer Park victorious, while the draw is also considered improbable at 23/10 with the same firm.
Head to head: History favours the hosts
Having avoided defeat in each of their previous five meetings with LA Galaxy, St Louis could hold a psychological edge coming into this clash.
What’s more, St Louis have triumphed in each of the last two meetings, scoring multiple goals in each of those two victories. Thus, siding with the hosts alongside over 1.5 goals looks a good value option at 5/4 on Boylesports.
Players to watch: Count on Klauss
Joao Klauss scored in St Louis’ last home game and he stands out to repeat the trick on Saturday night at 6/4 on Boylesports. It’s also worth noting that the Brazilian striker scored in St Louis’ home match with Columbus earlier in the season.
Joseph Paintsil has registered a goal involvement in four of his last six starts for LA Galaxy in MLS, netting in last week’s 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake. The Ghanaian winger is a 5/2 anytime goalscorer option on Boylesports.
Predicted line-ups
St Louis will be boosted by the return of key midfielder Conrad Wallem from suspension, however they look set to be without the injured trio of Jannes Horn, Joakim Nilsson and Rasmus Alm.
LA Galaxy will again have to cope without star player Marco Reus, who missed out last weekend due to a hamstring injury.
St Louis: Burki; Totland, Kessler, Baumgartl; Reid; Morales, Wallem, Watts; Hartel, Klauss, Pompeu
LA Galaxy: Micovic; Yamane, Zanka, Yoshida, Nelson; Sanabria, Cerrillo, Fagundez; Pec, Nascimento, Paintsil
Anything else catch the eye?
Given that these two sides have been involved in a number of high-scoring matches of late, backing both teams to score alongside over 2.5 goals looks well worthy of support at 4/5 on Boylesports.
This combination would have proven profitable in four of St Louis' last six matches in MLS, including each of their last two.
On top of that, the same selection would have also been a winning one in three of LA Galaxy’s last five league games.
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