The 91st edition of the California Clasico takes place on Saturday, as the San Jose Earthquakes travel to face LA Galaxy.
The Galaxy have made a good start to the season under new coach Greg Vanney; however were easily beaten 3-0 at the Portland Timbers last time out.
Derrick Williams' was sent off before half-time for a ridiculous tackle on Andy Polo, who unfortunately looks set to miss the remainder of the season through the injury sustained.
A brace from substitute Felipe Mora was added to by Diego Valeri, inflicting just the second defeat of the season on the Galaxy.
In contract, San Jose suffered a third consecutive defeat when they were beaten 3-1 at home by Sporting Kansas City.
Javier Lopez had given San Jose the perfect start, opening the scoring inside of five minutes, only for Jaylin Lindsey to equalise shortly after.
Kansas took control after the break and secured all three points thanks to goals from Alan Pulido and Daniel Salloi.
MLS Form: LA Galaxy W3 D0 L2; San Jose W2 D0 L3 MLS Top Scorers LA Galaxy: Javier Hernandez 7 goals San Jose: Three players on 2 goals
Match history The pair met an incredible four times in 2020, with San Jose taking a 2-1-1 record out of the fixtures.
Nick Lima scored twice as San Jose thrashed LA Galaxy 4-0 in the last meeting, a victory that all but secured the Earthquakes a play-off spot.
Last five MLS meetings LA Galaxy 0-4 San Jose - 14/10/20 San Jose 2-1 LA Galaxy - 03/10/20 San Jose 0-0 LA Galaxy - 13/09/20 LA Galaxy 3-2 San Jose - 29/08/20 LA Galaxy 1-3 San Jose - 12/07/19
Team news The Galaxy will be without the banned Williams as well as Sebastian Lletget who is away with the USMNT.
Victor Vazquez missed the trip to Portland last week and the Spanish midfielder is a doubt here too.
Jackson Yueill is unavailable due to an international call-up for San Jose, meaning Judson could make his first start of the season.
Chris Wondolowski will likely have to make do with another substitute role for the visitors.
Expected starting XI's LA Galaxy (4-3-3): Bond; Araujo, DePuy, Steres, Villafana; Dos Santos, Kljestan, Alvarez; Cabral, Hernandez, Grandsir San Jose (4-3-3): Marcinkowski; Thompson, Alanis, Jungwirth, Marie; Judson, Remedi, Lopez; Espinoza, Rios, Cowell
Prediction: LA Galaxy 3-1 San Jose
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