Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City: 10 Bold Predictions

Red Alert! Red Alert! The defending MLS Cup Champions are in a bit of a pinch and need some positive results pronto! Such is the case for Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy, who trudge on through a very difficult April with an Apr. 20 home tie with Peter Vermes’s Sporting Kansas City at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Ap 7, 2012; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting KC forward Teal Bunbury (9) moves the ball against Los Angeles Galaxy defender Sean Franklin (5) in the second half at Livestrong Sporting Park. Kansas City won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles are 2-1-2 (eight points) and are fourth in the MLS Western Conference while Sporting are 3-1-2 (11 points) and sit third in the MLS Eastern Conference. Sporting do have a midweek match on the road against the New York Red Bulls prior to this Saturday’s contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by NBC Sports Network.

Here are 10 Bold Predictions for the Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City at Victoria Street. Hooligans send help.

1. No goals in the first half

The Los Angeles Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City are going to have it tough finding goals tonight. A massive ball possession battle is in the works at the Home Depot Center as neither team will score in the first half.

2. Jimmy Nielsen comes up big for Kansas City

As the old saying goes, “You don’t mess with Jim.” Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen will come up big for his team, making at least four saves.

3. Big night out for Tommy Meyer

With Leonardo out of the starting lineup this week due to suspension, Tommy Meyer will have a big night out in his first start this season for the Galaxy. Meyer will have at least five interceptions, clearances and recoveries each.

4. Another solid game from Carlo Cudicini

Mar 30, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini (1) passes the ball as defender A.J. DeLaGarza (20) looks on against the Toronto FC at BMO Field. The FC and Galaxy tied 2-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Galaxy netminder Carlo Cudicini put on a great performance against FC Dallas, and he will have another great night at home against Sporting, making at least five saves.

5. A penalty will be called

This will be a very desperate battle between two teams desperate to earn points and chase the teams at the top of the league. At least one penalty will be called in this contest.

6. No goals or assists for Landon Donovan

Landon Donovan, as the View sees it, is four or five match days away from being in form. Donovan will not get any goals or assists in this match, but he will break out later this month or next month,

7. No goals in first 30 minutes of the second half

The defensive struggle will continue deep into the second half, as has been the case for a number of Los Angeles’s more recent games, with neither team breaking through until later in the half.

8. No goals for Los Angeles in this contest

This has been a tough April for the Los Angeles Galaxy, with only one goal in three matches. The dry spell is going to continue into this weekend’s contest against Sporting Kansas City.

9. Under 30 fouls and no more than four cards

Fast, free-flowing football is the name of the game in Major League Soccer, and in this contest, under 30 fouls will be whistled and no more than four cards will be issued in this contest.

10. Claudio Bieler breaks LA hearts

This season, Claudio Bieler has four goals this season, and when he is on, he is on. Bieler will score in the last fifteen minutes of this match to give Sporting Kansas City a big victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy and continue a month of struggle for the defending MLS Cup Champions.

Sporting Kansas City 1, Los Angeles Galaxy 0