Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Desperately seeking an immediate response in the early hours of Friday, LA Galaxy will welcome Santos Laguna to California.
LA Galaxy
Starting with the hosts, while LA Galaxy might have got their Leagues cup adventure underway with an action-packed 5-2 victory against Tijuana, Greg Vanney’s side came crashing back down to earth earlier in the week. Suffering penalty shootout heartbreak at home against Cruz Azul, the former Toronto boss still has some serious pressure on his shoulders in California. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny as they sit rock-bottom of the Western Conference standings, LA have also gained a reptation for their glaring defensive struggles. Signing off July with a remarkable 3-3 stalemate against arch-rivals Los Angeles, Friday’s hosts have mustered just a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
LA Galaxy Team News
Yet to make a single appearance this season and still sidelined with yet another long-term knee injury, LA Galaxy will once again be without Spanish midfielder Riqui Puig this weekend. However, aside from the one-time Barcelona starlet, Vanney’s side have reported a clean bill of health.
Registering 11 direct goal contributions in as many appearances across all competitions, former Borussia Dortmund talisman Marco Rose will play a leading role in the final third. Completing a permanent switch from Anderlecht this year, ex-Brentford defender Zanka should keep his spot at the back.
Santos Laguna
As for the visitors, while Santos Laguna might have marked their return from the summer break with a thumping 3-0 victory at home against domestic foes U.N.A.M, it appears that was just a minor boost for Francisco’s squad. Getting their Leagues Cup adventure underway with consecutive 2-1 defeats against Seattle and Colorado, the Coahuila-based outfit have now lost all of their previous four straight appearances across all formats. With their recent issues underlined by an action-packed 4-2 defeat against Toluca on July 17th, Friday’s guests have also shown their own extended defensive struggles. Signing off last season with a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Tijuana, Santos Laguna have registered just a single clean sheet since the end of February.
Santos Laguna Team News
Show a late red card against Colorado on August 1st, number one goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo will once again miss out through suspension on Friday. Despite still dealing with a knock earlier in the month, Honduras international Choco Lozano should get some more minutes under his belt.
Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike against Seattle earlier in the week, former Vancouver Whitecaps striker Cristian Dajome could be handed a full recall in California. Colombia international Kevin Balanta will start at the heart of Laguna’s defence here.
LA Galaxy vs Santos Laguna Key Factors to Consider
- When LA Galaxy and Santos Laguna last met for a competitive showdown back in March 2016, Friday’s guests collected a thumping 4-0 victory in Coahuila.
- Santos Laguna have lost their previous four appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-4.
- LA Galaxy have registered just a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
- Continuing on from last season, the Warriors have lost nine of their previous 10 competitive appearances.
- Each of LA’s last four showdowns in California have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
While LA Galaxy might have got their Leagues Cup adventure underway with a frantic 5-2 victory against Tijuana on August 1st, Friday’s hosts have drastically failed to find any kind of fluidity. Signing off July with a remarkable 3-3 stalemate away at bitter local rivals Los Angeles, Vanney’s men have gained a reputation for their glaring defensive issues. Likewise, with Laguna losing their last four matchups across all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-4, we could be treated to a real thriller here.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
