The best rivalry in the MLS won’t take place in Los Angeles this year, but at least the MLS is Back Tournament will provide Los Angeles FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy to meet in another edition of El Trafico. These two teams are both in need of a win after failing to pick up three points in their initial matches, and a loss for the Galaxy could essentially make their final match against Houston meaningless.
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MLS Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Los Angeles Galaxy +308
Los Angeles FC -137
Draw +312
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
Los Angeles FC were the best team in the MLS last season, claiming the Supporters’ Shield in just their second year with a record-setting effort. LAFC smashed multiple records, but they were knocked off by the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Finals, ending their season on a sour note.
They poured in the goals throughout 2019, and their offense continues to be sensational even without Carlos Vela. LAFC erased a 3-1 halftime deficit to the Houston Dynamo on Monday, thanks to goals from Diego Rossi and Brain Rodriguez in the second half. This club was forced to settle for a 3-3 draw, but they dominated the stat sheet with 22 shots compared to nine for the Dynamo, and LAFC had 65 percent of the possession.
The Galaxy have yet to win a match this season, and their offense has really struggled with Zlatan Ibrahimovic back in Europe. In their two matches before the season was suspended, they could only muster one goal, and they looked listless on offense against Portland on Monday prior to Dario Zuparic’s 75th minute red card. Chicharito was able to find the back of the net in the 88th minute for the Galaxy, but it wasn’t enough in a 2-1 defeat.
For all their success in their first two seasons, LAFC were unable to defeat the Galaxy until last year’s postseason. The Galaxy erased multiple deficits against Bob Bradley’s squad, as Ibra notched nine goals over those matches. Carlos Vela also scored nine goals for LAFC, while no one else from either team found the back of the net more than two times. Since Vela won’t be playing, there is a real question of who will step up from both sides.
Key Absences
Danilo Acosta is a long-term injury for the Galaxy, and Jonathan dos Santos won’t take part in this tournament after undergoing hernia surgery. Midfielder Kai Koreniuk was signed by the club in late June, but he is questionable to see the pitch in this match due to a hamstring injury.
Vela’s absence really hurts LAFC as you can’t just replace the reigning league MVP and Golden Boot winner. Forward Adrien Perez will also miss this match due to a strained hamstring.
Player to Watch
Diego Rossi hasn’t received the same accolades as Vela, but LAFC’s second-best player is one of the top offensive talents in the league. Rossi notched 12 goals and nine assists in 2018, and he followed that up with 16 goals and seven assists last season. Without Vela in the lineup, the offense will run through him, and he has excellent options in Bradley Wright-Phillips, Adama Diomande, and Brian Rodriguez. They played off each other well on Monday, resulting in LAFC being odds-on favorites per the MLS betting odds in this match.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Chicharito has not had the same impact as Ibrahimovic, and the Galaxy attack is simply ineffective. Meanwhile, LAFC still have an embarrassment of riches at forward, so they are the play.
Major League Soccer Odds: Los Angeles FC 3, Los Angeles Galaxy 1
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