The “El Tráfico Derby” returns, and it may be one of the most significant ones in the history of the rivalry, as LA Galaxy and LAFC share the lead in the West.
LA Galaxy won a key match against Real Salt Lake as visitors, taking down the team leading the standings for much of the season.
LAFC had a quiet afternoon against the Colorado Rapids at home and beat them 3-0 to reach 40 points, the same as their neighbors.
When and Where?
Thursday, July 4, 10:30 pm ET at the Rose Bowl Stadium
Moneyline odds:
LA Galaxy 2.9
LAFC 2.2
Draw Offs:
3.5
Where can I watch it?
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Why Bet on the LA Galaxy?
LA Galaxy should be local at the Dignity Health Sports Park. Still, as the tradition says, the game will be played in the Rose Bowl, one of the most important stadiums in the country. They have eleven wins, seven draws, and three losses, landing 40 points and scoring 41 goals while taking 27.
Since the two-week international break in June, the Galaxy have flourished, currently riding a four-match winning run in this competition, and that is their longest winning streak in a single MLS regular season since 2020 (four). They have a chance to equal their next longest mark from 2019 (five) with a triumph on Thursday.
Another area they have improved on since June is their defensive structure, collecting a clean sheet in three consecutive league fixtures, as many as they had before the break.
Greg Vanney’s men are unbeaten as the home team in the 2024 regular season. They won their last four encounters played at Dignity Health Sports Park, but we all know the Rose Bowl has a different feeling.
The Galaxy have won three of their previous four home contests against the Black and Gold in this competition, including a 2-1 victory last year.
Why Bet on LAFC?
LAFC is the team leading the table due to goal difference. They are also at 40 points, winning 12 matches, drawing four times, and losing four as they made their way to the top. They have also scored 41 goals but have only conceded 23 goals.
It sure seems like the loss against their state rivals, the San Jose Earthquakes, at the beginning of May (3-1), may have finally woken a sleeping giant in LAFC. Since that defeat Steve Cherundolo’s men are unbeaten in their last nine MLS contests, dropping points in only one of those (1-1 draw with Austin FC).
Los Angeles FC lost their opening three away matches in this competition but will enter this game on a four-match unbeaten run on the road, three of which were victories.
Since the beginning of April, the Black and Gold have won every league fixture in which they had scored the opening goal, and on Thursday, they can match their longest winning run across all competitions versus the Galaxy (three) and win three straight matches against them in the regular season for the first time.
Final Betting Analysis: LA Galaxy vs. LAFC
Traditionally, the “El Trafico” encounters are full of tension and goals, and we expect the same on Thursday in front of a huge crowd in Pasadena.
Defensive pragmatism tends to be forgotten when these rivals take to the field, and we expect to see a plethora of scoring opportunities for each, though we do not believe either will do enough to earn three points.
Last time out, LAFC managed to win, but LA Galaxy has been able to keep themselves unbeaten as locals for a reason. We expect all fans to get an explosive and contested match to watch here, but we expect a draw. We’ll go for a 2-2.
Go for a draw at 3.5. If you bet $100 at such odds, you could get $250, for a total payout of $350.
EN 
ES 
PT 
PT_BR