Houston vs LA Galaxy Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: July 26, 2025 | Shell Energy Stadium | MLS | 01:30 BST

MLS action returns on Saturday, where a disastrous campaign for the 2024 MLS Champions is finally looking on the up. LA Galaxy takes the trip east to face Houston Dynamo with the action broadcasted live on Apple TV. With no clear favourite, it is sure to be a very entertaining affair.

Key Betting Tip: Houston to win at 2.04 odds represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our team of in-house tipsters.

Houston vs LA Galaxy Predicted Lineups

Houston Predicted XI: Jonathan Bond; Franco Escobar, Pablo Ortiz, Ethan Bartlow, Felipe Andrade; Artur (c), Júnior Urso, Brooklyn Raines; Lawrence Ennali, Ezequiel Ponce, Jack McGlynn.

LA Galaxy Predicted XI: Novak Mićović; Julián Aude, Maya Yoshida (c), Carlos Garcés, Mike Yamane; Edwin Cerrillo, Diego Fagúndez; Joseph Paintsil, Marco Reus, Gabriel Pec; Matheus Nascimento.

We do expect a couple of changes to the side which face Philadelphia. Brooklyn Raines will return from suspension and Ben Olsen may look to partner him in a three-player midfield with Artur and Urso. Ennali may also return to the frontline in place of Sebastian Kowalczyk and Andrade will slot in at right back to replace Griffin Dorsey.

As for the visitors, they look to go largely unchanged from their Los Angeles Derby against LAFC. The only change that may be made is Fagúndez for Lucas Sanabria, who came off at half-time, replaced by the Uruguayan.

Houston vs LA Galaxy Current League Standings

It has been a very interesting start to the second half of the MLS season, with sides from 15th to 24th separated by just nine points and plenty of playoff spots up for grabs. Houston sits in and amongst this, just three points is all it will take to reinstate their push for the playoffs. Mixed form recently is the reason they are not in a strong position, as they have struggled to find consistency, losing 11, winning just seven games and drawing six.

LA Galaxy, meanwhile, sits in 29th place, having won just three games in the entire season, losing 14. Two of these wins, however, have come in the past four games, and they have lost just once in their last five. This suggests that they could be experiencing a turning point and although it may be too late to salvage anything meaningful, they are in a much better position considering they had not won any of their opening 16 games.

Houston vs LA Galaxy Head-to-Head Timeline

These sides have endured many memorable encounters over the years, and in the last 10 meetings, both sides have been victorious on three occasions each. The last time these teams met was in April, where they drew 1-1 in LA. It was a game which featured a red card and saw Houston take an early lead before the hosts levelled after the break to share the spoils.

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

• April 2025: LA Galaxy 1-1 Houston (MLS)
• October 2024: Houston 2-1 LA Galaxy (MLS)
• May 2024: LA Galaxy 2-1 Houston (MLS)
• September 2023: LA Galaxy 0-0 Houston (MLS)
• April 2023: Houston 3-0 LA Galaxy (MLS)

Meetings over the past three campaigns have been edged by Houston. The Texas-based side have won the last two home matches to Galaxy and will look to make it three.

As for LA Galaxy, they have won just once in the last five meetings, but they will feel that head-to-head does not matter as they have been playing superbly recently and will be confident to continue their strong run of form here.

Recent Houston vs LA Galaxy Matches Analysis

Houston Last 5 Matches:

• Houston 1-1 Philadelphia (H) – MLS
• Houston 0-3 Vancouver (H) – MLS
• Houston 0-1 Salt Lake (A) – MLS
• Houston 4-3 San Diego (A) – MLS
• Houston 1-0 St. Louis (H) – MLS

Aside from their breath-taking win over San Diego, all of Houston’s recent matches have gone as expected, based on league position. They have faced mixed form in their last five games and will not want to go four games without a win. They have been lacklustre in front of goal recently, scoring six goals with four of them coming in one game. Meanwhile, they are also four games without a clean sheet, conceding eight in this time.

LA Galaxy Last 5 Matches:

• LA Galaxy 3-3 LAFC (A) – MLS
• LA Galaxy 1-2 Austin (H) – MLS
• LA Galaxy 2-1 DC United (H) – MLS
• LA Galaxy 3-0 Vancouver (H) – MLS
• LA Galaxy 1-1 San Jose (A) – MLS

The 2024 MLS Champions have played just two teams outside of the top 18, losing just once. This run included a scintillating 3-0 win over Vancouver which kickstarted their first back-to-back victories since the 2024 MLS Playoffs. They are in great goalscoring form, finding the net 10 times, but have conceded seven in this time.

Houston vs LA Galaxy Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with confidence in a Houston victory. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Houston vs LA Galaxy Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Houston to Win @ 2.04 - Our team of in-house betting tipsters have predicted a Houston victory in this fixture. Recent head-to-head and league standings suggest confidence in a Houston Dynamo victory.

Key Players to Watch: Houston vs LA Galaxy

Jack McGlynn (Houston): The young midfielder has been in great form this season. He has scored three goals and provided three assists and has registered three good performances in a row for the Dynamo. He is a superb creative outlet who has created nine big chances this season, while playing over 3 key passes per game.

Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy): In what has been a poor season for the LA outfit, Paintsil has been a star for his side in helping them in their recent form. He has scored three goals in the past four games and has been one of the best LA Galaxy players when he steps onto the field.

Houston vs LA Galaxy Match Facts

Referee: Guido Gonzalez Jr. He has officiated 18 MLS fixtures this season, and has given out an average of 4.4 yellow cards per game and gives out over 20 fouls per match.

Broadcast Details:

UK/US: Apple TV

Stadium Information: The Shell Energy Stadium holds the ground in Houston, Texas, and can hold up to 22,039 spectators. The venue opened its doors 13 years ago and has hosed 185 matches. The stadium oversees 2.58 goals per game, also seeing the visitors win more often, with the hosts only winning 35% of the time.