The LA Galaxy remain "as good as any team" in MLS despite their poor season, and Houston Dynamo coach Ben Olsen expects a difficult test when they meet at Shell Energy Stadium.

The Galaxy have endured a dismal MLS Cup defence, only taking 16 points from their first 24 games of the campaign to sit bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Only CF Montreal, who are bottom of the East, have taken fewer points than Greg Vanney's team, with 15.

The Dynamo are just outside the playoff picture with 27 points ahead of the teams facing off this Friday, but Olsen does not believe there is a substantial gap between the sides.

"It is such an interesting opponent, because when you watch them play, they're still as good as any team in this league," Olsen said.

"The way they pose problems offensively, the way they build, the freedom Greg gives them to dominate the game and get into the opponent's half...

"Then they have some players that are as scary as anybody in the league. [Marco] Reus has found his niche, and I know Gregg's had to juggle guys, just like we have, because of injuries."

Houston are winless in their last three games since beating San Diego FC 4-3 earlier this month, though they did rescue a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union last time out.

The Galaxy, meanwhile, played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Los Angeles FC in El Trafico last weekend and have experienced an upturn of sorts, only losing one of their last five matches (W2 D2).

"In some ways, their season is not dissimilar to ours. We'll be under no illusions that this is a very good team," Olsen added.

"When you watch their last game against LAFC, you can see how talented they are when they put it together. They're still the champs, the last time I checked!"

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Jack McGlynn 

McGlynn equalised from the penalty spot as Houston drew 1-1 with the Union last time out, netting his third goal of the season. 

All three of his strikes this year have been result-altering, with his other two both being winning goals.

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec 

Pec scored twice in a 3-3 away draw with LA Galaxy's city rivals LAFC last weekend. 

All five of Pec's goals have come in road matches this season, and he has scored more road goals (10) over the last two campaigns than any other Galaxy player.

MATCH PREDICTION – HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN

The Galaxy's 3-3 draw with LAFC represented the fifth time they have scored multiple goals in their last eight games. They only scored multiple goals four times in their first 16 matches of the season.

Houston, meanwhile, have not scored multiple goals in any of their last five home games, since a 2-0 victory over Minnesota United in mid-May.

This is the Dynamo's longest streak without scoring multiple goals in home matches since 2018 (also five games).

Houston have won their last two home matches against the Galaxy, only the third time they have won two or more consecutive home matches against LA (also 2018 and 2019), with their longest such streak being four straight wins between October 2011 and July 2015.

The Galaxy are yet to win an away game in MLS this season, recording five draws and eight defeats on their travels, so Houston are the favourites.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Houston Dynamo – 47.6%

LA Galaxy – 26.3%

Draw – 26.1%