LA Galaxy vs LAFC Preview
The LA Galaxy welcome Los Angeles FC to the Dignity Health Sports Park on September 14 at 11:30 pm in the third Los Angeles Derby of the season. LAFC has a pair of victories over Galaxy in 2024 and is gunning for a hat-trick of El Tráfico wins.
Galaxy sits in first place in the Western Conference, just four points ahead of their rivals. Can the Black and Gold Falcons take a huge step forward in the race for first place or will Galaxy pull further away from their neighbours at the top?
LA Galaxy vs LAFC Head-To-Head and Key Stats
The rivalry between the LA Galaxy and LAFC has been one of the most competitive in the MLS in recent years. Both teams have had nine wins with draws, resulting in deadlocked form through their 23 meetings. They last clashed on July 4 at the Rose Bowl. LAFC came out on top with a 2-1 win in the Los Angeles Derby.
El Tráfico began with several chances for the Black and Gold Falcons in the first quarter of an hour. Eduard Atuesta hit the post with a powerful effort from just inside the area in the 13th minute. LAFC’s attacking intent paid off when a series of corners led to Kei Kamara heading in Mateusz Bogusz’s outswinger to hand Steve Cherundolo’s team the lead. Julián Aude fouled Atuesta in the box barely two minutes later, and Denis Bouanga stepped up to bury the penalty and double LAFC’s lead, ending the half 2-0.
Gabriel Pec halved the deficit in the 56th minute with a close-range finish, but Galaxy couldn’t find the net to claim anything from the match. The five-time MLS Cup winners dominated possession with 64% but failed to turn it into chances. They finished with 10 shots and four on target, to 22 and seven for LAFC.
LA Galaxy last played on September 1 against St. Louis City at CITYPARK, losing 2-1. Galaxy suffered from the same shortcomings they faced in the LAFC game, dominating possession with 59%, but failing to turn it into chances. The shooting stats were nearly identical, but LA couldn’t find the attacking edge they needed.
Cedric Teuchert opened the scoring in the ninth minute with an excellent finesse finish following a smart move from St. Louis. The rest of the first half played out end to end, forcing sound saves from goalkeepers Roman Bürki and John McCarthy. Neither side could find a second goal, however, and Galaxy entered the break down 1-0.
LA Galaxy flew out of the blocks in the second half, scoring inside 50 seconds. Gabriel Pec finished a skilful move for the visitors with a close-range finish to level the scores. Marcel Hartel scored a sublime goal in the 68th minute, pegging back Galaxy. His first-time side-footed effort hit the top corner to help St. Louis regain the lead. LA never looked like levelling after that and ended on a 2-1 loss after a disappointing attacking performance.
It was a night of poor finishing from both sides when LAFC clashed with Houston Dynamo on September 7. Olivier Giroud started up front with Denis Bouanga on international duty. Los Angeles failed to deliver quality crosses into the box regularly, which left the Frenchman frustrated with the lack of service.
Both teams primarily relied on poor, long-range chances, with shots aimed directly at the keeper. LAFC finished with less possession at 35% and had fewer chances with seven shots and two on target, to 12 and three. However, neither side ever looked like scoring, and a bore-draw was a fair result.
LA Galaxy vs LAFC Predictions
Correct score prediction: LA Galaxy 1-1 LAFC
LA Galaxy and LAFC come into this game on the back of poor performances, despite them leading the way in the Western Conference in first and second place. Their performances throughout the season have been excellent though and make no mistake that this is a clash of two of the best teams in the league. They are so evenly matched that picking a winner seems nearly impossible. LAFC has won three LA derbies in a row, but LA Galaxy has not lost a game at Dignity Health Sports Park this season. Our soccer prediction is for the spoils to be shared in California.
LAFC is second in the Western Conference, four points behind Galaxy. However, the Black and Gold Falcons have two games in hand and a stronger goal difference. LAFC may be the stronger team on paper with a squad full of players who have shone this year. Denis Bouanga has scored 16 goals in 25 games and is still in the hunt for this second Golden Boot in a row. Mateusz Bogusz has chipped in with 13 goals from midfield. LAFC’s plan for this game will heavily involve those two players and the LA Galaxy must have a plan for them.
Galaxy has been the best team in the MLS when playing at home this season. Greg Vanney’s team is undefeated at Dignity Health Sports Park. LAFC does technically have an away win over them this season, but that was at the neutral Rose Bowl. LA has made Dignity a fortress this season and LAFC will have their work cut out for them. They are 10th in the away table with a 5-3-4 record. That is strong, but may not be enough to beat the best home team in the MLS.
This game is a clash of styles. Steve Cherundolo has LAFC playing a high-pressing, quick-passing game. He will instruct his team to control the game from midfield and exploit spaces left by Galaxy. Greg Vanney prefers a stronger defensive setup and quick counterattacks. This is where we can see the game deadlocked with those styles cancelling the other out.
LA Galaxy vs LAFC Betting Tips
Online betting odds can barely separate the LA Galaxy and LAFC. A bet on LA Galaxy is worth +150 with LAFC just barely underdogs, worth +155. These are the two strongest teams in the Western Conference and we cannot separate them, which is why we like the odds on a tie. There have been five draws between these teams throughout history and at +275, we like a wager on a sixth.
If there were to be a winner in this game, we sway towards LAFC. They have won three LA derbies in a row and a win here would put them one point behind Galaxy with two games in hand. You can bet on LAFC to win or choose a Tie – no bet at -114, which will ensure that your stake is returned if they draw.
Marco Reus has played excellently in his two games since arriving on a free transfer on August 15. He has two goal involvements and is dangerous from range. Reus is also excellent at dribbling his way into the box to carve out shooting opportunities. The former Borussia Dortmund man is also the set-piece taker for Galaxy and averages 1.71 shots on target per game. Reus will be favoured to be heavily involved in Galaxy’s attack in the football betting odds. Back the German to have a shot on target in El Tráfico.
LA has a new star and his name is Marco Reus 💚🖤❤️ pic.twitter.com/t8ceDR58f4
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 25, 2024
Denis Bouanga will return for LAFC in this match. After two weeks on international duty, the Gabonese striker will return to LAFC and be welcomed back up front. He has been electric for the Black and Gold Falcons this season with 16 goals and will be heavily involved here. MLS betting will favour the forward to be active upon his return to the side. He averages just under two shots on target per game and we can see him registering two here.
Live betting is also an option for this game. With the online betting odds so tight, waiting for the game to kick off before wagering on it could be beneficial. Derby games are often unpredictable and in-game events can help inform your betting.
LA Galaxy Team News
Joseph Paintsil is back from international duty but will be unavailable for this game through suspension after yellow card accumulation. Julian Aude is expected to return to training this week after suffering a groin injury in the LA derby in July. However, this game may be too soon for a return to the squad and he is questionable.
- Predicted lineup: McCarthy, Nelson, Neal, Yoshida, Yamane, Cerrillo, Delgado, Fagundez, Riqui Puig, Pec, Reus.
LAFC Team News
Denis Bouanga, Mateusz Bogusz, Maxime Chanot, Cristian Olivera, and David Martínez will all return from international duty and are expected to be fit at the time of writing. Jesus Murillo missed the match against Houston with a knee injury and is a doubt for this game. Lorenzo Dellavalle is out for the remainder of the campaign and is recovering from his ACL surgery in July.
- Predicted lineup: Lloris, Hollingshead, Long, Chanot, Palencia, Tillman, Atuesta, Sanchez, Bouanga, Bogusz, Giroud.
