The Los Angeles Galaxy (5-5-4, 20 Points) might be the most dangerous team in the MLS right now. They are getting healthy and will be adding the legendary Steven Gerrard in another month and a half, but more importantly, they are in fine form.
If they can beat the New England Revolution (5-5-3, 20 Points) on Sunday, they'll take a huge step towards the top of the table in the Western Conference.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Revs are surely going to end up being the favorites of the oddsmakers in this match, but the margin might not be all that far apart with as well as LA is playing. We most certainly don't expect an odds-on favorite scenario to play out, and if that's how it does debut, clearly, you'll want to jump all over the Galaxy.
KEY INJURIES
The Galaxy have already had 14 players miss games this season due to injury or illness and another one miss out via suspension. They won't have Robbie Rogers, Todd Dunivant or A.J. DeLaGarza to fill in on the back line, and that could prove to be a bit problematic. You wouldn't know that there are problems of late though, as Oscar Sorto and Omar Gonzalez have been in great form.
The Revolution have two major concerns right now in the form of Chris Tierney and Lee Nguyen both being suspended for this match following red card offenses last week. That's going to put a lot of pressure on Charlie Davies, who has turned into the best offensive threat New England brings to the table.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We're feeling good. There's always different changes back there, but we seem to be dealing with it great. We have a good understanding of everyone who is back there. We help each other out with a lot of communication, and the few chances Jaime (Penedo) is getting, he's doing very well with." – Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez on all of the changes in the LA defense of late
RECENT FORM
Remember that 4-0 loss in Orlando suffered by the Galaxy? Neither do we. That loss seems like a tremendously distant memory after strong consecutive 1-0 wins over Real Salt Lake and Houston at home.
The Revolution haven't won a match since May 2, a string of four straight matches, though the optimist would point out that they have also only lost once since March 15.
TALKING TOTALS
The consecutive 1-0 wins were obviously both easy unders for the Galaxy, though it shouldn't be forgotten that this is still one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the MLS with Robbie Keane now healthy alongside Juninho, who might have just gotten himself back into good form with a converted spot kick last week against RSL.
There have been a ton of goals in Revolution matches this year, especially of late. Yes, a 1-1 draw against D.C. United proved to be an under duel, but the over is 5-2 in their last seven matches with the average totaling 3.43 goals per game.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Neither of these teams are particularly sound at the back right now, and that could create a lot of opportunities. Granted, Penedo has been a fine net minder and has made some great saves that otherwise could have ended in goals for the Galaxy, but we still have a real concern about their play down the left flank.
That's where Davies is going to attack from for sure, and with five goals in his last seven matches, we know that he is going to be dangerous.
In the end though, the Galaxy are flat out the better of these two teams as we see it, just as they were last year when they won the MLS Cup at the StubHub Center in extra time.
Los Angeles 2, New England 1
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