New York Red Bulls vs LA Galaxy Predictions

New York RB have endured a slow start to the new MLS Season, but did manage to end their five game winless run last weekend. On Saturday the Red Bulls welcome LA Galaxy to the Big Apple, and the visitors arrive in great form. Galaxy are unbeaten in their last seven matches and already have fourteen more points than New York RB this season, but we’re expecting a tight and tense game between the pair.

New York RB found the ninety minutes tough at home to Cincinnati, as both teams had a similar amount of corners and goal scoring opportunities. However, in the thirty-eighth minute Lade scored the games only goal and ended New York RB’s winless run and move the East Coast club onto eight points. A sixteenth minute effort from Antuna saw LA Galaxy take the lead at home to Real Salt Lake, and proved enough for the hosts to head in at the interval in front. However, the visitors pushed forward more in the second half and equalised in the sixty-sixth minute through Toia. Only something special looked likely to stop this game ending in stalemate and Ibrahimović, as he so often does, provided that moment in the seventy-eighth minute to win the game for LA Galaxy.

The recent head to head record between these two clubs suggests Saturday’s game will be close, competitive, and likely to end in a draw, while the performances and results of both clubs over the last few weeks points towards under 2.5 goals being scored. Three of the last seven meetings between the two clubs have produced under 2.5 goals, and two of their last four encounters have ended in draws. Under 2.5 goals have also been scored in four of New York RB’s last six and three of LA Galaxy’s last five matches. The hosts have failed to score in three of their last six matches, while their guests have kept three clean sheets in their last five attempts. LA Galaxy drew their last away game 0-0 against Minnesota United, and we can see Saturday’s game heading in the same direction due to New York RB struggling for goals and their guests having a good defensive record.

Muyl and Royer joint top score for New York RB this season with two MLS goals apiece, while Ibrahimović leads the way in front of goal for LA Galaxy with eight strikes in the league alone so far. We’re confident that under 2.5 goals will be scored in Saturday’s game, and have predicted a final scoreline of 0-0. The hosts have been struggling for goals of late, while their guests have a very good defensive record, and the pair have draw two of their last four encounters in the MLS.