There is only pride to play for at the FIFA Club World Cup for LAFC as they prepare to face Flamengo in their final Group D encounter on Tuesday.
Steve Cherundolo's men lost their first two games in the competition and are already focusing on the resumption of their MLS campaign later this month.
The Black and Gold started the tournament with a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea before a shock 1-0 reverse to Tunisian side Esperance Tunis.
While LAFC have struggled, Flamengo have already secured first place in Group D after a 2-0 win over Esperance Tunis and a 3-1 victory over the Blues.
Flamengo have been one of the major success stories of the FIFA Club World Cup, and are now the co-fifth favorites to win the tournament at +2000.
Former Brazil left-back Filipe Luis has only been in the dugout since September 2024, but he has made a big impression on the club's supporters. He helped Flamengo win the Copa do Brasil in 2024, and now his side is punching above their weight in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Despite falling behind against Chelsea in the 13th minute, Flamengo turned it around to move into a 2-1 ahead before Blues striker Nicolas Jackson saw red for a rash challenge.
Luis' team showed a killer instinct to win comfortably, and they will now look to maintain that winning formula against the struggling MLS outfit.
LAFC is playing in the competition for the first time, and the lack of experience is evident. Surprisingly, Cherundolo's team had enjoyed a 10-match unbeaten run before their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, and they will look to learn their lessons.
Flamengo has won six matches in a row in all competitions, and are eager to enter the round of 16 with another win under their belt.
LAFC have struggled in front of goal and look likely to fail to trouble the scoresheet for the third game in a row at the FIFA Club World Cup.
While they registered four shots on target against Chelsea in their first match in the competition, they could only hit the target twice against Esperance Tunis.
Flamengo have only conceded once at the tournament and have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five games in all competitions.
When looking at their last 10 competitive matches, Flamengo have won eight times and kept seven clean sheets. With LAFC's confidence low, Flamengo should be able to record a comfortable win in a low-scoring affair.
Flamengo will resume their Brazilian Serie A campaign in July and they are currently top of the pile after 11 matches played, while they also have a game in hand on a number of their rivals.
The form of playmaker Giorgian De Arrascaeta has been crucial to their strong start and he has registered nine goals and four assists in only nine appearances.
The Uruguayan scored against Esperance Tunis but only played for 56 minutes against Chelsea. He has scored four goals and secured one assist in his last seven appearances in all competitions and will look to shine on the big stage.
This summer's competition gives players the chance to impress on the world stage, and De Arrascaeta continues to prove that he can deliver the goods in big games.
De Arrascaeta may start Tuesday's game on the bench as Luis prepares to get his squad ready for the next round, but his recent form suggests he could make an impression as a substitute.
Read more betting picks and predictions for soccer on site.
LAFC | +300 |
Tie | +240 |
Flamengo | -134 |
Pedro Guilherme (Flamengo) | +130 |
Olavio Juninho (Flamengo) | +150 |
Bruno Henrique (Flamengo) | +150 |
Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Flamengo) | +162 |
Denis Bouanga (LAFC) | +187 |
Luiz Araujo (Flamengo) | +200 |
Read the latest soccer news on site.
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.