3 Predictions for Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Santos on Thursday Night

A lot is on the line Thursday night if the Los Angeles Galaxy hopes to advance to the Knockout Stage of the 2025 Leagues Cup. A win helps the defending MLS Cup champions' efforts in advancing past the Group Stage, a feat they failed to accomplish last year.

The LA Galaxy are not guaranteed to move on if they win on Thursday against Santos. However, it certainly helps. Here are three bold predictions about the game.

1. Marco Reus gets at least one goal contribution against Santos.

The former Borussia Dortmund star has proven that he doesn't have to score to be effective. With five goals and a team-high eight assists for the Los Angeles Galaxy during their MLS season, Reus has earned Player of the Month for his team three months in a row.

Despite not scoring or recording an assist against Cruz Azul, he connected on his penalty kick after regulation to extend the LA Galaxy's hopes of winning in the shootout. Reus did, however, find the back of the net against Club Tijuana in the 5-2 blowout a week ago.

Expect Reus to either score against Santos and/or be credited with an assist on Thursday night.

2. Either Gabriel Pec or Joseph Paintsil score on Thursday night.

The argument could be made that both could score. Unfortunately, the LA Galaxy have shown that their offense is not as explosive as it was last year.

Paintsil scored twice and tallied an assist in the 5-2 victory over Tijuana. Pec not only scored in that game as well, he also was the only member of the LA Galaxy to score last Sunday against Cruz Azul.

Two of the best forwards on the Galaxy will have to turn out if the LA Galaxy hope to earn three points against Santos in Phase One.

3. Novak Micovic allows no more than two goals.

This one is a fair argument to make. After all, the Serbian goalkeeper for the Galaxy has only had two games since Memorial Day weekend in which he's allowed three goals. Fortunately, both of those outings resulted in 3-3 ties for the LA Galaxy.

John McCarthy was the starting goalie last year. Micovic began the season in the Starting XI during the team's first three games. He has improved drastically since then.

Thus, there is little to no reason to assume a team like Santos, who is already eliminated from advancing in the 2025 Leagues Cup, will rattle Micovic.

Reus, Micovic and Company begin play on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. (PT) and 10:15 p.m. (CT) at Dignity Health Sports Park. A two-goal or more differential in the LA Galaxy's favor could propel them in the next round of this year's Leagues Cup.