LA Galaxy host local rivals Los Angeles FC as MLS resumes following a six-week break for the World Cup.
While the focus of the football world has been on North America this summer, MLS was paused to ensure the international showpiece rightly took centre stage.
There has been no MLS action since the end of May but, with the World Cup coming to a gripping conclusion this weekend, the club action in the US is now ready to roar back into life.
This LA derby, known as El Trafico, is one of the standout fixtures to kick-off the second half of the season as both teams restart their bid for a place in the Western Conference play-offs.
LA Galaxy v Los Angeles FC Tips Summary
Best Bet - LA Galaxy to win @ 15/8
Alternative Bet - Over 3.5 total goals @ 11/8
Bet Builder - Both teams to score, LA Galaxy to win & Marco Reus to score or assist @ 11/2
LA Galaxy v Los Angeles FC Prediction
Best Bet: LA Galaxy to win @ 15/8
LA Galaxy will be keen to get the MLS action back under way at Dignity Health Sports Park with a statement win in El Trafico, and the hosts represent good value to do exactly that.
With six weeks rest for a lot of the players in both squads, this will have the feel of a season-opener and there is plenty to play for for both teams in the Western Conference.
LAFC may be fifth after 15 games, four spots higher than Galaxy, but the hosts are only four points adrift and there is not a lot between the two sides in terms of quality.
Galaxy are moving on from the recent departure of star winger Gabriel Pec to Brazilian top-flight side Cruzeiro for a club-record fee of reportedly up to $13.5m.
However, they still have Japan defender Maya Yoshida, German legend Marco Reus, Spanish technician Riqui Puig and Ghanaian forward Joseph Paintsil to rely on.
Before the break, Galaxy saw off Seattle Sounders in a solid 2-0 away win before being held at home by Houston Dynamo, and their home form has generally been mixed this season, offering hope to LAFC.
Friday's visitors were reeling just before the break when losing three straight matches, even though they managed to stop the rot with a hard-fought 1-0 success over Seattle Sounders just before the World Cup.
Their recent overall form is in contrast to their fine start to the campaign, when they began with 11 games unbeaten in all competitions.
LAFC have only won one of the last four derby meetings and could be in for more pain in this latest match-up.
Alternative Bet: Over 3.5 total goals @ 11/8
The return of MLS action may bring with hit plenty of thrills and spills as the US basks in the glory of staging what has largely appeared to be a successful World Cup.
And the feel-good factor should continue with a goal-fest in LA.
The last two El Trafico have ended 3-3 and 2-2, while Galaxy won the meeting before that 4-2, so there is recent history of goal-heavy, exciting games between the two rivals.
It is also worth pointing out that four of LAFC's last six games have produced four goals or more, with that pattern tipped to continue this weekend.
LA Galaxy v Los Angeles FC Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score
LA Galaxy to win
Marco Reus to score or assist
Pays 11/2
Backing both teams to score is a good place to start for this three-leg Bet Builder, with Galaxy finding the back of the net in each of their last eight competitive games, while LAFC have scored in each of their last four.
A home win is fancied with Galaxy determined to get their bid for a play-off place back on track as soon as possible, so picking Greg Vanney's men to triumph is the second leg.
Finally, adding in German star Marco Reus to either score or assist boosts the selection to 11/2.
Reus is now 37, but has impressed in MLS this season with four goals and five assists so far.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
LA Galaxy's league record this season reads P15, W5, D5, L5
LAFC's record is P15, W7, D3 L5
Galaxy have only lost one of their last six MLS games
LAFC have lost three of their last four in MLS
The last two meetings between the sides have been draws (3-3 and 2-2)
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
