Saturday night sees one of the biggest rivalries in MLS take center stage at BMO Stadium as LAFC hosts the LA Galaxy in the 26th edition of El Trafico.
The Galaxy is one of the worst teams in MLS and comes into the match trying to defeat an LAFC side that has three wins via clean sheet since being eliminated from the FIFA Club World Cup.
Denis Bouanga has terrorized the Galaxy in his career, and our LAFC vs LA Galaxy soccer picks for Saturday, July 19, explain why that is unlikely to change.
LAFC vs LA Galaxy picks and predictions
My LAFC vs LA Galaxy best bet: Denis Bouanga anytime goalscorer (-105 at DraftKings)
You have to go back to May of 2023 to find the last instance of El Trafico where Denis Bouanga didn’t find the back of the net. And it wasn’t for a lack of trying, given the LAFC winger took eight shots in that 2-1 defeat.
Since that loss, Bouanga has scored in each of the ensuing five editions of this cross-city rivalry. He’s scored six goals in that span, two coming from the penalty spot. He also scored LAFC’s first goal in a 2-2 draw with the Galaxy back in May of this year.
The rest period LAFC received due to the Club World Cup has come at a perfect time for the forward. Bouanga comes into Saturday’s match with goals in three straight matches since resuming play, and has multiple shots on goal in each of the last two outings.
The LA Galaxy have not kept a clean sheet in their last 22 matches away from home. This season, they’ve already conceded 27 goals in 12 away fixtures, seven more than any other team in the Western Conference and the most in MLS.
And the Galaxy knows how dangerous Bouanga is. They rotated against Austin to protect their best defender, who was one yellow card from suspension, to ensure he was available. Bouanga has the third-most goals in the history of the rivalry, and a goal Saturday would pull him even with Zlatan for second place.
The Black and Gold should win this match, and I don’t see that happening without Bouanga putting his name on the scoresheet. He’s in form, he’s a menace to the Galaxy, and he’s priced at -105 at DraftKings—significant value given his odds are as long as -138 elsewhere.
LAFC vs LA Galaxy same-game parlay (SGP)
Denis Bouanga anytime goalscorer
LAFC to win to nil
Joseph Paintsil 1+ shot
The Galaxy have only 11 goals in 12 away matches in MLS play, three of which came last month in a loss at St Louis City. Meanwhile, LAFC has kept clean sheets at home in two straight games and four of their last six, conceding only two goals during that span.
We have only seen one El Trafico in the last 15 meetings where either side has failed to score, but the Galaxy are a terrible away side and are going to be shut out here as LAFC posts their fourth consecutive clean sheet in MLS.
It won’t be for lack of trying, though. Joseph Paintsil has scored in two of his last three outings for the Galaxy, albeit his previous goal came in the 93rd minute from the penalty spot. He’s also taken 13 shots in those five outings and will almost certainly get a shot away here.
LAFC vs LA Galaxy odds
LAFC vs LA Galaxy live odds
LAFC vs LA Galaxy opening odds
- Moneyline: LAFC -175 | LA Galaxy +400
- Draw: +320
- Over/Under: Over 3.5 (+125) | Under 3.5 (-175)
LAFC vs LA Galaxy game info
| Location | BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Saturday, 7-19-2025 |
| Time | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Apple TV |
| Weather | Clear |
LAFC vs LA Galaxy key injuries
LAFC: Aaron Long D (Out), Lorenzo Dellavalle D (Out), Maxime Chanot D Out), Ryan Raposo M (Out).
LA Galaxy: Riqui Puig M (Out).
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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