The LA Galaxy took center stage Tuesday night as they knocked off rivals, and defending MLS champions LAFC in front of the largest crowd in MLS history. The MLS schedule has the Galaxy back at home this weekend, hosting the 2022 MLS Cup runner-up Philadelphia Union.
The Galaxy are out of last place in the West but need to start piling up points to have any chance of making the playoffs this season. Meanwhile, the visitors expect to take points back East as we look at the LA Galaxy vs Philadelphia Union prediction.
LA Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union Information
LA Galaxy vs Philadelphia Union
Location of the game: Dignity Health Sports Park. Carson, CA.
Date & Time: Saturday, July 8. 10:30 p.m ET.
How to watch: Apple TV
Recent Scores
After four straight draws, the Galaxy beat LAFC 2-1 Tuesday night at the Rose Bowl. The Galaxy have scored in five of their last six games and haven’t lost to MLS teams since May 27.
The Union lost 2-0 in Atlanta on Sunday to start a three-game road trip. They won at home 4-1 over Inter Miami to end June and drew 2-2 in Orlando on June 21.
The Galaxy are 8-1-3 against the Union over the last 12 meetings and 5-0-2 in the last seven. They haven’t met since a 2-0 Galaxy home win in 2019, and the Union’s only win came in 2012.
LA Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union Betting Analysis
LA Galaxy on Best Run of the Season
After starting the season 2-9-3, the Galaxy are 2-0-4 over the last six to climb out of last place in the MLS standings. With star striker Chicharito out for the season with a knee injury, designated player Riqui Puig is picking up the slack.
The Spaniard had a goal and an assist against LAFC on Tuesday, and the Galaxy have won or tied every game in which he either scores or provides an assist this season.
Tyler Boyd and Preston Judd have three goals for the Galaxy, while Dejan Joveljic has two goals and an assist. Injuries have hurt the Galaxy all season, with only Gaston Brugman and Marky Delgado playing in all 20 games, and no player has started more than 19 contests.
Jonathan Bond is back in goal, and he’s allowed 18 goals in his 13 starts this season. Bond has a 3-4-6 record as the starter, and he made an impressive seven saves against LAFC on Tuesday.
Bond’s improved play over the last month has helped the team tremendously and impacts the LA Galaxy vs Philadelphia Union prediction for Saturday.
Philadelphia Union Struggling Without Blake
Andre Blake, one of the best goalkeepers in MLS, is in the Gold Cup with Jamaica, and his absence has hurt the Union. In the three games he’s missed, the Union have allowed two or more goals twice after allowing two or more just twice in the previous 11 games. Joe Bendik is his replacement in goal, and the 34-year-old has allowed 10 goals in five starts this season with only one win.
The Union were also shut out last weekend for the first time since early May. They had scored 17 goals in seven games heading into Atlanta before being held to a season-low one shot on goal.
Most MLS picks will expect the Union to bounce back against the Galaxy this weekend. Julian Carranza has scored 10 goals on the season and is among the MLS leaders in goals scored. Daniel Gazdag has contributed seven goals and a team-best nine assists, while Mikael Uhre has six goals.
Key Injuries
Chicharito is out for the Galaxy, as are Memo Rodriguez and Martin Caceres. Defender Jalen Neal is with the USMNT at the Gold Cup.
The Union are without injured Kai Wagner, while Blake and defender Damion Lowe are at the Gold Cup.
LA Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union Betting Preview
Moneyline: Checking the MLS odds, the Union are favored on the road at -140 on the moneyline. The Galaxy are +155 as home moneyline underdogs, and a draw is +250.
Over/Under: Over 2.5 goals is 140, and under 2,5 goals is +116.
LA Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union Betting Prediction
- The top LA Galaxy vs Philadelphia Union prediction is to take the over 2.5 goals.
Both teams are capable of scoring, and the Union goalkeeper situation is shaky at best. A 2-2 result seems fair for both squads.
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