The LA Galaxy look to continue their success against their MLS rivals on Friday night when they visit LAFC for El Trafico. The Los Angeles derby has been a pretty one-sided affair since LAFC joined MLS for the 2018 season, but now the upstarts have the best record in the league at 11-3-4. Still, they are just two points clear of Austin FC at the top of the Western Conference, with the Galaxy (8-3-6) sitting in fourth place. But the visitors come in off a 4-0 mauling of Montreal FC at home Monday night, while LAFC lost 1-0 to the Whitecaps in Vancouver last Saturday.
Kickoff in Los Angeles is set for 10 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists LAFC as the -126 favorite (risk $126 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in its latest LAFC vs. LA Galaxy odds. The Galaxy are a +330 underdog, a regulation draw is priced at +285 and the over-under for total goals scored is 3.5. Before you lock in any LA Galaxy vs. LAFC picks or 2022 MLS predictions, you have to see what proven soccer insider Martin Green has to say.
After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Since then, his European soccer picks have been stunningly accurate. Green has generated more than $37,000 for $100 bettors since the 2017-18 season, and he is 6-4 on his MLS picks this season. He has his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.
Now, Green has broken down the LAFC vs. LA Galaxy matchup from every angle and just revealed his picks and MLS predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the betting lines and trends for LA Galaxy vs. LAFC:
- LAFC vs. LA Galaxy spread: LAFC -0.5 (-120)
- LAFC vs. LA Galaxy Over/Under: 3.5 goals
- LAFC vs. LA Galaxy money line: LAFC -126, Galaxy +330, Draw +285
- LAFC: Carlos Vela is fourth in MLS in goal-creating actions (11)
- LA: Dejan Joveljic leads the league in goals per shot (0.42)
- LAFC vs. LA Galaxy picks: See picks here.
Featured Game | Los Angeles FC vs. Los Angeles
Why you should back LAFC
The Black and Gold are tied with Austin FC for the MLS lead with 35 goals and have conceded just 19 over their 18 matches. They have scored 20 and allowed 10 at home, where they are 7-2-1 this season. The Galaxy have been average on the road, winning three times and scoring eight goals in seven matches (3-2-2).
Star striker Carlos Vela and key midfielder Jose Cifuentes both missed Saturday’s match but should return on Friday. Vela is the captain and top scorer with seven goals, while Cristian Arango has scored six and is fourth in MLS in total shots (48). Cifuentes has three goals and four assists, and LAFC have 14 players overall who have scored at least once.
Why you should back the LA Galaxy
Los Angeles has not lost to its young rival in the past five meetings (3-2-0) and has lost three times in 15 all-time matches (7-5-3) in all competitions. The Galaxy devastated the Black and Gold in the U.S. Open Cup match. They held the ball for just 45 percent of the game but outshot LAFC 17-10, with a huge 9-1 advantage in attempts on target. Javier Hernandez and Dejan Joveljic have been dominant up front for the Galaxy in recent weeks, and both got on the score sheet in that game.
Both also scored in the 4-0 win against Montreal this week, and midfielder Rayan Raveloson scored twice. Hernandez, better known as Chicharito, leads the team with seven league goals while Joveljic has scored six. The Galaxy have scored 11 goals in their past four matches. Los Angeles also has conceded 19 goals, in one fewer game than LAFC, and it has allowed the fourth-fewest shots (180) and attempts on target (61) in MLS. Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond has posted six clean sheets.
How to make LAFC vs. LA Galaxy picks
Green has scrutinized the LA Galaxy vs. LAFC match from every angle, and he is leaning over on the goal total. He also provides three confident best bets, including one that would pay plus money, and has a full breakdown of the match. He’s only sharing those MLS picks at SportsLine.
So, who wins the LA Galaxy vs. LAFC match Friday night? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for the LAFC vs. LA Galaxy match, all from the soccer expert who has generated more than $37,000 for $100 bettors over the past four seasons, and find out.
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism