Look ahead to Montreal: LA Galaxy out to return to winning ways against Montreal Impact | INSIDER

CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy return to action after a rare bye week on Saturday when they host the Montreal Impact at StubHub Center. 

Below is my look ahead to the game complete with links to read, matchups to watch and my prediction for Saturday's match. 

LINKS:

Steven Gerrard has been offering a few pearls of wisdom to LA Galaxy defenders on how to stop Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba.

Baggio Husidic figures to be back in the fold for the LA Galaxy on Saturday after recovering from injury.

Robbie Keane has his own advice for the Galaxy defense on stopping Drogba: win the aerial battles.

In the latest edition of By the Numbers, we look at Gerrard's last five games against Drogba.

*Lastly, LAGalaxy.com's Larry Morgan provides his own preview of Saturday's match. 

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
DIDIER DROGBA vs. OMAR GONZALEZ

The most important battle of the evening will pit Montreal's Ivorian forward against the Galaxy's U.S. National Team defender. For Gonzalez to come out on top, it'll be vital for the defender to keep his head in what is expected to be a highly physical affair. Another question remains: with Leonardo suspended, who takes over alongside Gonzalez? Is it A.J. DeLaGarza? Tommy Meyer or maybe even Dave Romney? 

GIOVANI DOS SANTOS vs. WANDRILLE LEFEVRE

The Galaxy aren't the only team missing one of their starters, as Montreal will be without a defender of their own as interim head coach Mauro Biello must replace the suspended Laurent Ciman. Wandrille Lefèvre will likely be expected to lead a mix-and-match Impact defense but after conceding three times to the Chicago two weeks ago, he'll be in for a challenge to contain Dos Santos and Robbie Keane who figure to be extra motivated to give LA a win. 

IGNACIO PIATTI vs. JUNINHO 

To stop Montreal, the Galaxy's Brazilian defensive midfielder must put the clamps on Piatti. An intuitive playmaker, the Argentine will look to combine with Drogba and exploit any holes in the Galaxy midfield to spark the Impact attack. Piatti has had experience against the Galaxy before with a goal and an assist in their meeting a year ago. 

PREDICTION:
LA Galaxy 3 (Dos Santos, Gonzalez, Husidic) Montreal Impact 2 (Drogba, Oduro)