LA GALAXY welcome New York City to Dignity Health Sports Park for a cross conference MLS fixture on Thursday. Neither side has shown much defensive discipline lately and given the quality in both attacks, goals could be expected here.
LA Galaxy are challenging near the top end of the Western Conference as they sit just three points behind the leaders. They have shown some good form lately, suffering just one defeat in their last eight matches.
Greg Vanney’s men picked up a 4-2 victory over Sporting Kansas in their previous MLS fixture. While it was a fine win, the result highlights a defensive vulnerability as LA Galaxy have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four matches.
New York City are coming off a 3-2 defeat to Columbus Crew last time out in the MLS. They held their own despite playing much of the clash with 10 men but just short despite goals from Axel Ojeda and Santiago Rodriguez.
The good news for New York City is that the defeat comes after a run of five straight wins, and they will be keen to get things back on track. Nick Cushing’s men have also won their last three away matches but have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 fixtures on the road.
How the bookies view it: Advantage Galaxy
Galaxy have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at evens with bet365 to claim the win. A victory for New York City is valued at 12/5 while a draw is set at odds of 27/10.
Head to head: New York City on top
New York City have a 5-3 advantage with just one draw from nine previous matches against LA Galaxy. That draw came in a friendly back in February as both teams battled to a 2-2 scoreline.
Players to watch: Joveljic always the threat
Dejan Joveljic away on target last time out against Sporting Kansas to take his tally to 10 MLS goals this season. The striker could be worth keeping an eye on to score anytime at 6/4 with bet365.
New York City also have attacking quality of their own, particularly Santiago Rodriguez, who has seven goals this season. The forward has also found the net in the last two matches and is priced at 11/5 to maintain his scoring run.
Probable line-ups
Riqui Puig remains sidelined for LA Galaxy after missing the win over Sporting Kansas through injury. Diego Fagundez should retain his place in the team after impressing last time out.
New York City will be without defender Gabriel Martins, who reminds sidelined with injury. Mitja Ilenic is also suspended after being sent off in the previous fixture.
LA Galaxy: McCarthy, Aude, Yoshida, Neal, Yamane, Delgado, Cerrillo, Paintsil, Fagundez, Gabriel Pec, Joveljic
New York City: Freese, McFarlane, Risa, Tanasijevic, Gray, Parks, Sands, Ojeda Rodriguez, Wolf, Martinez
Anything else catch the eye?
Given the attacking quality on both sides, goals could be expected in Thursday’s clash. New York City have seen over 4.5 goals in their last two matches and a repeat is priced at 11/4 by bet365, who is also offering 6/5 for over 3.5 goals.
There have been more goals after the break in New York City’s last three matches and a similar pattern is priced at 10/11 by bet365.
This MLS match between LA Galaxy and New York City will be played on Jun 20, 2024 and kick off at 03:30. Check below for our tipsters best LA Galaxy vs New York City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
