Los Angeles FC welcome Colorado Rapids to the BMO Stadium for a Western Conference MLS clash. Both teams are currently in the mix for the playoffs and are level on points in the table.
Los Angeles come into this clash off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps last time out in the MLS. That result continues their poor form from the FIFA Club World Cup and also means they have picked up just one win from their last four domestic matches.
Sitting seventh in the table, Los Angeles need a swift upturn in results to boost their playoff hopes. The good news for manager Steven Cherundulo is that they often do well on home soil, earning four wins and a draw in their last five matches in front of their fans.
Colorado Rapids have also found things difficult lately and are winless in five of their last six matches. Chris Armas’ men have been beaten four times in that run, and suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Sporting KC last time out.
Things have been worse on the road for Colorado Rapids, who are winless in their last six away matches. They have suffered four defeats in that run and have conceded at least two goals in all six fixtures.
How the bookies view it: Los Angeles clear favourites
Los Angeles have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies, with BoyleSports offering odds of 4/11 for a home win. An unlikely victory for Colorado Rapids is valued at 11/2 while a draw is set at 7/2.
Head to head: Superior Los Angeles
Los Angeles FC have a 9-5 advantage, with one draw from 15 previous matches against Colorado Rapids. The hosts have won the last four home meetings, including a 1-0 victory in a CONCACAF Champions League clash in February.
Players to watch: Eyes on Bouanga
Denis Bouanga has stood out for Los Angeles this season, scoring eight MLS goals so far. Nathan Ordaz has three goals and both men could combine to provide over 1.5 goals for the hosts (Los Angeles FC over 1.5 goals at 3/10 with BoyleSports).
Colorado Rapids will look to Djordje Mihailovic to provide the spark, having found the net eight times this season. Rafael Navarro also has seven goals and both men could produce over 0.5 goals – valued at 4/9.
Probable line ups:
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is ruled out with injury while defender Maxime Chanot is also sidelined. David Ochoa should start in goal while Ordaz and Bouanga could feature in attack.
Colorado Rapids have no injury problems and could stick with much of the team that faced Sporting KC. Mihailovic and Navarro should retain their place in the side while Chinedu Awaziem is set to start at the back.
Los Angeles FC: Ochoa, Palencia, Long, Segura, Smoliakov, Tillman, Jesus, Amaya, Dilrosun, Bouanga, Ordaz
Colorado Rapids: Defreitas Hansen, Rosenberry, Maxso, Awaziem, Travis, Ronan, Atencio, Harris, Mihailovic, Ku-DiPietro, Navarro
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in four of Colorado Rapids’ last five away matches (BTTS YES at 4/7 with BoyleSports). Los Angeles have scored in both halves in four of the last five home matches against Colorado Rapids (Los Angeles FC to score in both halves – 10/11).
Los Angeles have won the first half in four of the last five home matches against Colorado Rapids (Los Angeles halftime win priced at 5/6). With the hosts priced at minimal odds for a straight victory, a win and over 2.5 goals offers more value at odds of 4/5.
GambleAware