LA Galaxy vs. LAFC live stream, odds, picks: El Trafico prediction, TV channel, predicted lineups

In recent seasons, LA Galaxy have not lived up to the high expectations set for them, but behind Riqui Puig they will rise again to the top of the Western Conference in the MLS this season, but they will have to succeed against the Black and Gold of LAFC to get there to come. It’s quite a logjam on top of the Western Conference between these two and Real Salt Lake, with El Trafico on Thursday night.

El Trafico is a match that always brings fireworks, but taking place on July 4, with three of the top five scorers in MLS in the Rose Bowl, is something special. In 2023, more than 82,000 fans showed up for this match, making it the largest crowd for an MLS match in the league’s history.

Here are our storylines, how to watch the match and more:

How to watch and odds

• Date: Thursday, July 4 | Time: 10:30 PM ET
• Place: Rose Bowl – Pasadena, California
• TV: None | Live stream: MLS Season Pass
• Chances: LA Milky Way +210; Sign +280; LAFC+110

Storylines

LA system: The Galaxy will be without Gaston Brugman, who is still dealing with a knee injury, but Jonathan Perez could be available as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury. Dejan Jovelic gives the Galaxy a focal point in attack, but what the defense does will be crucial in this match.

LAFC: Cristian Olivera is on international duty with Uruguay for the Copa America and Lorenzo Dellavalle will also miss the match, but with LAFC’s star-studded attack they will have plenty of players to fall back on. Denis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz have scored 25 goals between them and will be feeling confident against a weak Galaxy defence. The Black and Gold are unbeaten in eleven consecutive matches in all competitions and if that number were to increase to twelve it would be a good feeling against their rivals.

Predicted lineups

LA Galaxy: John McCarthy, Julian Aude, Maya Yoshida, Jalen Neal, Miki Yamane, Edwin Cerrillo, Marco Delgado, Joseph Paintsil, Riqui Puig, Gabriel Pec, Dejan Joveljic

LAFC: Hugo Lloris, Sergi Palencia, Jesus Murillo, Aaron Long, Ryan Hollingshead, Timothy Tillman, Ilie Sanchez, Eduard Atuesta, Mateusz Bougsz, Kei Kamara, Denis Bouanga

Prediction

In a back-and-forth matchup between two top teams, it will be another instant classic in Pasadena as the Galaxy sit atop the Western Conference. Choose: LA Galaxy 3, LAFC 2