Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Tottenham Hotspur: 10 Bold Predictions

The first of two international midseason friendlies this season for Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy will take place when they host Andre Villas-Boas's Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Tottenham are coming off a 20-9-9 season (69 points) and could have competed in the UEFA Champions League this coming season...if it weren't for Chelsea playing the part of spoiler in a penalty shootout win over Bayern Munich.

As for the Galaxy, they take time off from the league trail, sporting a 9-10-3 record (30 points) and a fifth-place standing in the MLS Western Conference.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET. Here are 10 bold predictions for Tuesday's night's exhibition match.

1. Los Angeles Will Score in This Contest

Robbie Keane has been on a hot streak this season, scoring nine goals this year. Keane is tied for the club lead with Landon Donovan, but it will be the Irishman that will get on the scoresheet for L.A.

That doesn't necessarily mean the Galaxy will win this match, as we will see in the other bold predictions.

2. A Barnburner: More Than Five Goals

There will be plenty of goals, and the action will be free-flowing. Two storied clubs with a lot of firepower will equate to at least six goals scored in this contest. It's a friendly, of course, but the intensity will be there.

3. Wholesale Changes at Halftime

As this is a friendly match, I am calling for the L.A. Galaxy starters to take on the Tottenham reserves, and then in the second half, the fringe players for the Galaxy take on the Spurs starters for next season.

4. Sigurdsson with a Brace

One player to watch in the midfield is new signing Gylfi Sigurdsson, one of the finest footballers to hail out of Iceland.

Last season, as a member of 1899 Hoffenheim, Sigurdsson scored nine goals in 36 appearances, then scored seven goals in 19 appearances with EPL side Swansea.

He is a young player itching to break out in a big way. Look for Sigurdsson to score a brace against the Galaxy.

5. Two Assists for Gareth Bale

A fixture on the Tottenham Hotspur first team, Gareth Bale recorded 10 assists in Premier League play last season. The Spurs will look to Bale to establish the tempo with some good deliveries. Bale will get two assists this match.

6. Rafael Van Der Vaart on the Scoresheet

Last year in the Premier League, Rafael Van der Vaart scored 11 goals to lead his club. Van der Vaart may be the most dangerous midfielder the Spurs will have, alongside Bale. So I am looking for Van der Vaart to get at least one goal in action.

7. Jermaine Defoe Also on the Scoresheet

Defoe is a forward with a deadly touch. When you give him space to create chances, he makes good use of it. His 11 goals in Premier League action last season speak volumes of the hard effort he has put in during his long career with Spurs.

So, look for Defoe to also get on the scoresheet.

8. At Least One Assist from David Beckham

Well, David Beckham is not going to be able to run with these players for a long period of time, but that doesn't mean he won't get on the scoresheet against this well-oiled Tottenham machine. Look for at least an assist from Beckham in this friendly.

9. Under 25 Fouls and Three Yellows

Since this is just a friendly, it would be wise to let the players play. So, the referee for this match will probably call under 25 fouls and issue no more than three yellow cards.

10. Tottenham Hotspur Takes This One

This is going to be a great game of football. But it will be Tottenham that show their class and skill on Tuesday night. Spurs will double up on the Galaxy through Sigurdsson, Van der Vaart and Defoe, while L.A. counter with Keane and Landon Donovan.

Tottenham Hotspur 4, Los Angeles Galaxy 2