Preview: Los Angeles FC vs. St. Louis City – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Los Angeles FC The aim is to put pressure on the Los Angeles Galaxy at the top of the MLS Western Conference when they welcome them St Louis City on Thursday at BMO Stadium.

Following their US Open Cup triumph, the home team returned to league action with a hard-fought win over FC Cincinnati, while the away team claimed a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City.

Game preview

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Since exiting the Leagues Cup against Columbus Crew, Los Angeles FC has seen its MLS form falter after going five straight games without a win ahead of last Thursday's US Open Cup final against Sporting Kansas City .

Last time I faced Cincinnati, Steve Cherundolo's men took the lead 10 minutes before half-time thanks to the lead David Martínez but were pushed back Luca Orellano just after the hour, after that Denis Bouanga grabbed the winner with 17 minutes left.

With LA Galaxy absent from the last round of play, Los Angeles FC are now six points behind their opponents with one game remaining.

The Black and Gold have already gotten the better of St. Louis this season, thanks to a 2-0 triumph in their previous meeting in May, which, frankly, could have easily gone the other way on another day.

In the first of three games over the next two weeks against teams currently in the bottom three, Thursday's hosts know that a 100 percent record from now on will guarantee them the top spot in the West and will be aiming to get one to get off to a good start.

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St. Louis City picked up back-to-back league wins for the first time since the turn of the season by fending off the threat of Sporting Kansas City and earning a routine 3-1 victory at CITYPARK on Sunday.

Cedric Teuchert He repeated his successes in the first half with his first opening goal in the 33rd minute and then scored Rasmus Alm And Edward Lions on both sides Stephen Afrifa's consolation brought all three points for John Hackworth's men.

Only Minnesota United have picked up more points than St. Louis City over the last five gameweeks, and this upturn in form has catapulted them to 12th in the conference standings, although their 11-point deficit saw them drop from ninth to 12th in the standings have no chance of the playoffs. Place Portland Timbers.

Nonetheless, the Missouri-based team will be looking to put together a strong winning streak in the final weeks before its third Major League Soccer season, in which it will seek an immediate return to the playoffs.

Los Angeles FC form in Major League Soccer:

Los Angeles FC form (all competitions):

St. Louis City Major League Soccer form:

Team news

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Heinrich Kessler is unavailable for St. Louis City due to a concussion Joakim Nilsson continues his phase out of action with a torn muscle fiber.

Tomas Ostrak And Celio Pompeu are also not in the running for the guests' trip to Los Angeles as they are still out due to ankle and foot injuries.

American duo Chris Durkin And Indiana Vasilev are expected to miss a second straight game after both sustained injuries in last week's 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

Sergi Palencia will be suspended for one game due to an accumulation of yellow cards, meaning he will not be allowed to play for Los Angeles FC here.

The home team will also be without defenders Jesus Murillo, Aaron Long And Lorenzo DellavalleBut Cristian Olivera is back after making his first league appearance since the start of September last time out.

Possible Los Angeles FC starting lineup:
Lloris; Segura, Chanot, Hollingshead; Campos, O'Brien, Sanchez, Olivera; Bogusz, Bouanga, Giroud

Possible St. Louis City starting lineup:
Burki; Totland, Kessler, Hiebert, Horn; Alm, Lowen, Watts, Hartel; Teuchert, Joao Klauss

We say: Los Angeles FC 3:1 St. Louis City

Despite their recent resurgence, St. Louis City has remained vulnerable defensively and faces a tough test in Los Angeles.

We can assume that the home team will emerge victorious at the end of the 90 minutes.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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