The latest edition of the Los Angeles derby, affectionately dubbed El Trafico, comes to Dignity Health Sports Park as defending MLS champions LAFC visit the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer action.
The two clubs could scarcely be moving further in opposite directions. LAFC won last year's Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup double and look to be frontrunners for a repeat this season. Forward Denis Bouanga is having a breakout year, second in the league with six goals through the first six matches.
Their rivals, one of the league's most storied franchises, are struggling mightily, without a win through the first six games of the season. Galaxy President Chris Klein and General Manager Greg Vanney have come under serious fire for the drop in stature for the club, having barely squeaked into last season's playoffs only to get bumped by their cross-town rivals, and looking stuck in the mud to start this campaign.
In fact, there are rumors of an LAFC takeover at Dignity Health Sports Park, which would be an embarrassing turn of events for the hosts to be outnumbered at their own home venue.
Still, in El Trafico, fans are always cautioned to expect the unexpected, and that could rear its head here as the latest edition of one of MLS's best rivalries plays out.
MORE: Name, history, and highlights, from across the short but explosive El Trafico rivalry
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— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) April 11, 2023
How to watch LA Galaxy vs LAFC in El Trafico
- Date: Sunday, April 16
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT
- TV channel: FOX
- Spanish-language TV: Fox Deportes
- Streaming: Fubo, Fox Sports Go, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Like all MLS games this season, the LA Galaxy vs LAFC derby match will be available on MLS Season Pass, which is accessible from Apple TV.
However, a few matches throughout the season will be broadcast on television by FOX Sports, and this game is one of those selected. The match will be shown on the main FOX channel across the United States, with a Spanish language broadcast also available on Fox Deportes.
LA Galaxy vs LAFC projected lineups, team news
The LA Galaxy will be missing a few key players for this important derby match. Most notably, Martin Caceres and Douglas Costa will both miss the game due to suspension. Caceres was sent off in their last match against the Houston Dynamo for approaching the referee while he was viewing the VAR monitor, while Costa received a straight red card deep in stoppage time for a brainless moment of red mist.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jonathan Bond is out injured, forcing Jurgen Klinsmann's son Jonathan Klinsmann into starting action, and left-back Chase Gasper has not yet appeared this season due to a thigh injury. Javier Hernandez made his first appearance of the season last time out, recovering from a muscle injury, but it remains to be seen whether he will have the match fitness to start here.
Young Mexican playmaker Efrain Alvarez was a starter early in the season but has lost his place, just an unused substitute for two straight matches. He could see a way in here with Memo Rodriguez struggling as well, although it could be Preston Judd deployed on the right.
LA Galaxy projected starting lineup (4-1-4-1): Klinsmann (GK) — Calegari, Mavinga, Neal, Edwards — Brugman — Judd, Delgado, Puig, Boyd — Joveljic
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo has a number of options at his disposal to rotate through the starting lineup this season, giving him options in this match. In midfield, he will choose two between the trio of Jose Cifuentes, Ilie Sanchez, and Timothy Tillman with the three rotating alongside starter Kellyn Acosta through the season so far.
He also has options at the back, having mixed Jesus Murillo, Aaron Long, Denil Maldonado, and Giorgio Chiellini all in at center-back.
The only significant injury for LAFC to worry about is the long-term absence of goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau but he is targeting a return from his horrific broken leg soon.
LAFC projected starting lineup (4-3-3): McCarthy (GK) — Hollingshead, Long, Murillo, Palacios — Tillman, I. Sanchez, Acosta — Vela, Bouanga, Opoku
LA Galaxy vs LAFC betting odds & lines
Despite the enormous gulf in results so far this season, the betting market is still seduced by the "anything can happen" theory for not just all rivalries but this rivalry in particular. The chaotic nature of El Trafico and the fact that the Galaxy are home see them still earn significant respect against their cross-town rivals. LAFC are favorites on the road, but still sport plus odds to win.
One thing that is thought to be certain, though, is a heaping of goals, with the over a significant favorite and both teams to score wildly skewed towards the "yes" selection.
| LA Galaxy win | Draw | LAFC win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | LAFC -0.5 | LAG +0.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | +188 | +240 | +130 | -200 / +135 | -165 / +115 | +125 | -175 |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) | +185 | +240 | +130 | -110 / -141 | -164 / +118 | +127 | -169 |