Los Angeles Galaxy vs. New England Revolution: 10 Bold Predictions

Jun 2, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution defender Andrew Farrell (2) works the ball against Los Angeles Galaxy Robbie Rogers (14) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The New England Revolution defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 5-0. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Two teams in the race for playoff positioning in Major League Soccer in their respective conferences duel at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. on Wednesday. Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy are 6-3-6 (24 points) and are just outside the top five in the MLS Western Conference. Jay Heaps’s New England Revolution are 7-8-2 (23 points) and are currently fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE. Here are 10 Bold Predictions for Wednesday night’s encounter between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New England Revolution.

1. Robbie Keane will not score

Robbie Keane has officially hit a snag in his form. Despite leading Los Angeles in scoring with seven goals this year, Keane will not get on goal in this game against the Revolution.

2. Landon Donovan with an assist

Landon Donovan has three goals and four assists for Los Angeles and came close to getting on goal against Real Salt Lake. Against New England, Donovan will record at least an assist.

3. Gyasi Zardes with a brace

Forward Gyasi Zardes is rounding into scoring form, with four goals this season for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Zardes will need to refine his timing and he will do so, scoring a goal in each half against the New England Revolution.

4. Jaime Penedo with at least five saves

Goalkeeper Jaime Penedo was money in the bag against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, recording six saves. Penedo will come up huge again for the Galaxy, making at least five.

5. Under five saves for Bobby Shuttleworth

This season, New England Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth has 42 saves this season. Against the Galaxy, Shuttleworth will record under five saves.

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6. At least 40 fouls and under five cards

This will be one of those run-of-the-mill MLS matches, with plenty of physicality and a lot of rough play. The MLS Multiplex boldly predicts for at least 40 fouls whistled and under five cards issued.

7. Lee Nguyen will score for the Revs

This season, Lee Nguyen has five goals and is New England’s all-time leading goalscorer. Nguyen should be able to get in on goal against the Galaxy on Wednesday night.

8. Diego Fagundez with a goal and an assist

Diego Fagundez has four goals and three assists to his credit. A young gun with a huge upside, Fagundez will record at least a goal and an assist in this evenly-matched affair.

9. No goals for Patrick Mullins

This has been a breakout year for Patrick Mullins, with four goals to his credit. However, the Galaxy backline of A.J. DeLaGarza, Dan Gargan, Robbie Rogers and Tommy Meyer will put Mullins on lockdown on Wednesday. There will be no goals for Patrick Mullins in this game.

10. This game will end in a draw

In a match between two evenly-matched sides, the Los Angeles Galaxy and New England Revolution will play to an entertaining draw. Despite a brace from Zardes, New England have a balanced attack that can hold their own. Do not expect Leonardo to start this game, as that could result in last year’s lopsided scoreline, a 5-0 Revs win at Gillete Stadium that the Galaxy are still smarting from.

Los Angeles Galaxy 2, New England Revolution 2