LAFC are all set to face off against bitter rivals LA Galaxy in the first El Trafico of 2024 Saturday night at BMO Stadium.
It's been an excellent start to the season for Greg Vanney's Galaxy, and he really had no choice but to begin the 2024 campaign on the front foot given that he's under considerable pressure to deliver results out west. The Galaxy are on of the three remaining unbeaten MLS sides in 2024, as they've pulled off wins against San Jose Earthquakes, Sporting Kansas City and Seattle Sounders while settling for three draws to sit atop the Western Conference with 12 points from six games played.
On the other side, it's been a subpar start to the year for the Black and Gold. The 2022 MLS Cup winners have just two wins to their name thus far this season -- an opening day triumph over Seattle Sounders and a 5-0 thrashing against an average Nashville SC side. LAFC haven't looked as sharp as we're used to seeing them, as they collapsed in the final 10 minutes against Colorado Rapids last week to lose 3-2 while also falling against Minnesota United and Real Salt Lake.
Here's 90min's preview of the first El Trafico of 2024.
LAFC vs LA Galaxy H2H record ( Last Five Games )
Current Form (all competitions)
LAFC | LA Galaxy |
|---|---|
Colorado Rapids 3-2 LAFC - 30/03/2024 | LA Galaxy 1-0 Seattle Sounders - 30/03/2024 |
LAFC 5-0 Nashville SC - 23/03/2024 | Sporting Kansas City 2-3 LA Galaxy - 23/03/2024 |
Minnesota United 2-0 LAFC - 16/03/2024 | LA Galaxy 3-3 St Louis CITY - 16/03/2024 |
LAFC 0-0 Sporting Kansas City - 09/03/2024 | Nashville SC 2-2 LA Galaxy - 10/03/2024 |
Real Salt Lake 3-0 LAFC - 02/03/2024 | San Jose Earthquakes 1-3 LA Galaxy - 02/03/2024 |
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Apple TV - MLS Season Pass |
United States | Apple TV - MLS Season Pass, FOX |
Canada | Apple TV + |
David Martinez had a rollercoaster of a cameo after being substituted on against the Rapids last Saturday. The 18-year-old scored in the 76th minute after coming on just past the 60th minute mark to give the visitors the lead, but he then was sent off after seeing a second yellow card right after Djordje Mihailovic tied things up wit his brilliant clash. Due to his sending off, LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo will be without his highly-rated winger for the game.
Omar Campos is a doubt for the contest as he's still dealing with an ankle injury. Sergi Palencia will more than likely take his place in the XI in his absence.
LAFC predicted lineup vs LA Galaxy ( 4-3-3 ): Lloris; Hollingshead, Murillo, Long, Palencia; Tillman, Sanchez, Atuesta; Olivera, Bogusz, Bouanga.
Vanney's only injury concern for the game is star center-back Jalen Neal, who is a doubt as he's recovering from an abdominal injury that's kept him sidelined since early February. To make matters worse, veteran defender Martin Caceres was unable to continue in the first half against Seattle Sounders last and was substitued off in the first half.
Maya Yoshida and Eriq Zavaleta will makeup the heart of defense vs LAFC given the team's current injuries in the backline.
LA Galaxy predicted lineup vs LAFC ( 4-3-3 ): McCarthy; Yamane, Yoshida, Zavaleta, Aude; Delgado, Brugman, Puig; Paintstil, Joveljic, Pec.
Even though the Galaxy come into this rivalry match as favorites with plenty of momentum, don't be so quick to count out the Black and Gold in front of their supporters.
Steve Cherundolo's side still have the electric Denis Bouanga who can make something happen out of nothing while also relying on the shots-stopping abilities of the iconic Hugo Lloris. The hosts will make it interesting as they won't want to be flat-out beaten by their in-state rivals, but the Galaxy will find a last-minute winner to break the deadlock and take all three points away from BMO Stadium.
Prediction: LAFC 2-3 LA Galaxy