The latest edition of El Trafico takes place at Dignity Health Sports Park in the early hours of Saturday morning as the LA Galaxy entertain LAFC.
LA Galaxy endured a tough start to their MLS campaign, winning just two of their opening nine matches (W2-D3-L4).
However, Greg Vanney’s hosts entered the World Cup break with a bit of momentum, winning three and losing just one of their last six encounters (W3-D2-L1), moving them into the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Unlike their rivals, LAFC made a flying start to this MLS season, as Marc Dos Santos’ visitors won five and drew one of their opening six clashes (W5-D1-L0), keeping clean sheets on each occasion.
However, the Black and Gold have gone on to take just eight points from their next nine matches in the MLS (W2-D2-L5), but one of those victories did come last time out in a 1-0 success at home to the Seattle Sounders.
That result leaves the Falcons fifth in the Western Conference table, four points clear of their hosts.
How the bookies view it: Falcons favourites
Despite winning just two of their last nine MLS encounters, LAFC come into this clash as favourites, with bet365 pricing an away success at 13/10.
The Galaxy are 9/5 to claim just their third win at home in the MLS this season, whilst the draw is 13/5.
Head to head: Competitive clashes
This rivalry has been competitive since their first meeting in 2018, with the Galaxy having the slight advantage with 10 wins to LAFC’s nine, with the other seven resulting in draws – including each of the last two.
Goals are almost always guaranteed, with those 26 contests averaging an eye-catching 4.35 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score banking in 22 (85%) of them, whilst Over 2.5 Goals has paid out in 21 (81%) of them – including a dramatic 3-3 draw at BMO Stadium last July.
Players to watch: Bouanga to bag against the Galaxy again?
Denis Bouanga is once again the Black and Gold’s top scorer in MLS this season, finding the back of the net on six occasions.
The Gabon international has a sensational scoring record against the Galaxy, getting on the scoresheet in each of the last six MLS editions of El Trafico – scoring a total of eight goals – and pays an appealing 20/21 at bet365 to continue that hot streak.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
LA Galaxy: Marchinkowski, Yamane, Glesnes, Haak, Nelson, Wynder, Cerrillo, Thommy, Paintsil, Reus, Klaus
Los Angeles FC: Hasal, Hollingshead, Porteus, Long, Segura, Choiniere, Delgado, Tillman, Martinez, Bouanga, Son
Anything else catch the eye?
Given the form and the historic record between these two rivals, backing goals is the obvious play, with the 4/5 on offer at bet365 for Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals the standout selection.
The Galaxy’s opening 15 matches in the MLS this campaign have averaged 2.93 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score paying out in a league-high 13 (87%) of them, whilst 10 of their past 14 have seen three or more goals.
After seeing just two goals scored across their opening two away matches this term, LAFC’s next five have averaged 3.20 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals paying out in four (80%) of them.
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