While El Trafico is now an established MLS rivalry, fans can look forward to a new twist in the matchup when these two teams meet on U.S. national TV on Saturday night.
For the first time in an LA Galaxy vs. LAFC rivalry that has soared to unimagined levels of excitement in just its fifth year of competition, Mexican stars Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez are expected to face off as club opponents.
Injuries have seen the two El Tri veterans both in the trainers room at various times, keeping the anticipated showdown from surfacing. Chicharito has been beset by injuries his entire LA Galaxy career, only able to play against LAFC twice, and in both those matches Vela was sidelined.
Now, with each one healthy and in good early season form, the matchup is once again in the forefront of fans' minds. Chicharito has scored four goals in the Galaxy's first five matches of the MLS season, including a brace last time in a 3-1 win over Portland. Vela's numbers are identical, marked by a hat-trick in the season opener against Colorado.
For fans of El Trafico who have seen goals in numbers over the rivalry's first 13 games, a new goalscoring feud is set to mark the heated matchup.
How to watch LA Galaxy vs. LAFC
- Date: Saturday, April 9
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: Fox
- Spanish-language TV: Fox Deportes
- Streaming: fuboTV
Wednesday's El Trafico rivalry match between the LA Galaxy and LAFC from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. will be broadcast on Fox (English) and Fox Deportes (Spanish) in the USA.
It can also be streamed on fuboTV and new users can take advantage of a free trial.
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— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) April 6, 2022
LA Galaxy vs. LAFC projected lineups
Through the first five matches of the season, Greg Vanney has deployed mostly a 4-4-2 that on occasion morphs into a 4-2-3-1. The question mark for most games has come in the choice between Victor Vasquez or Efrain Alvarez, who have rotated in a timeshare early on.
Alvarez played in the 3-1 win over Portland last time out, and to great effect, linking up with Chicharito quite well.
With Marky Delgado suspended after he was sent off in that match, selection could get quirky in midfield. It could see Daniel Aguirre come in, although Vasquez could be an option to drop back as well. Douglas Costa missed the Portland match with an injury, and his status is up in the air for the LA derby, but given he was a game-time decision against the Timbers a week ago, it figures that he could be back.
Another question for Vanney comes at center back, as he utilized Derrick Williams last time out in place of Sega Coulibaly, although the Mali-born defender could return.
LA Galaxy projected starting lineup (4-4-2): Bond (GK) — Edwards, DePuy, Coulibaly, Leerdam — Costa, Raveloson, Aguirre, Cabral — Chicharito, Alvarez.
LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo has a number of decisions to make with a mostly healthy squad. Up front, Kwadwo Opoku was sat last time out in favor of Cristian Arango's second start of the season, and that platoon will need sorting.
Kellyn Acosta should come back into midfield after sitting out the last match following a grueling international stretch with the USMNT, meaning either Latif Blessing or Francisco Ginella will come out.
At the back, Cherundolo can choose to stick with the partnership of Mbacke and Jesus Murillo that has started the last two games, or look to bring in Canada standout Doneil Henry. On the flanks, Ryan Hollingshead has moved from the left to the right after the departure of Moon-hwan Kim, with Diego Palacios in at left back.
LAFC projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Crepeau (GK) — Palacios, Mbacke, Murillo, Hollingshead — Blessing, Acosta, Sanchez — Rodriguez, Vela, Opoku.
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LA Galaxy vs. LAFC betting pick & prediction
Odds via DraftKings (USA) & Sports Interaction (Canada)
While the winner of this rivalry has been nearly impossible to predict match-to-match from the start, one thing is for certain: There will be goals.
Across the first 13 matches of the rivalry, a team has only kept a clean sheet in three of them, and three or more goals have been scored in nine of them. Even this season, while LAFC is unbeaten through its opening five matches, it's only kept a clean sheet in two of the five, and has hit three goals or more in the other three. The Galaxy managed a pair of clean sheets to start the season, but have not held one in the three matches since.
With both talismanic strikers healthy and ready to lead the lines, there should be plenty of goals for either side.
Pick: Over 3 goals (-105)
Prediction: LA Galaxy 2-2 LAFC
| DraftKings | Sports Interaction | |
|---|---|---|
| LA Galaxy Win | +150 | +147 |
| Draw | +270 | +260 |
| LAFC Win | +165 | +160 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | -200 / +155 | -227 / +141 |
| Over / Under 3 goals | -105 / -115 | -115 / -111 |
| LA Galaxy pick'em | -115 | -118 |
| LAFC pick'em | +100 | -108 |
