Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Betfair
The 2022 season in the MLS rumbles on as Europe sleeps through the summer when it comes to football competitions, and it’s time for Los Angeles FC to welcome FC Dallas to the Banc of California Stadium in what will be the 17th match of the campaign for either side.
Los Angeles FC
For LA FC, things have so far gone as well as they could probably have hoped for. With 10 victories in the previous 16 rounds, they lead the pack that is the Western Conference with 33 points, four more than Real Salt Lake (who have already played 17 matches) in second place and five more than Austin FC in third. It seems the place in the final series is theirs to take.
With all that in mind, a look at their recent form in the league might seem a little surprising, given that Steve Cherundolo’s team managed to win only three of their last six matches, drawing once and losing twice. They lost 2-0 away to Colorado Rapids and 1-2 at home to Austin, before re-establishing good form as they beat Columbus Crew away by 0-2 and San Jose Earthquakes at home by 3-2, before drawing 1-1 away to Seattle Sounders and eventually triumphing 2-0 at home over New York Red Bulls.
Cristian Arango and Diego Palacios struck in quick succession in the second half of that match to secure the points for their team.
LA FC suffered a defeat to city rivals Galaxy in the round of 16 of the US Open Cup just over a month ago and will play no further part in the competition this term.
Team News
Former Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini and former Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale have both been confirmed as new players for LA FC, but neither of them will be available for selection for this match.
Meanwhile, right-backs Julian Gaines and Erik Duenas both have injury issues and are unlikely to feature, though Palacios would’ve probably started ahead of them anyway. Goalkeeper Tomas Romero is out in accordance with health and safety protocols.
FC Dallas
The season hasn’t gone too badly for Dallas either. At the moment, they are in fourth place with 26 points, though Nashville SC in fifth have the same tally and LA Galaxy have two points less in sixth. They’re not too far from the teams above either, and in the absence of any severe meltdown in the upcoming matches, they should have no difficulty in keeping hold of a final series play-off place.
Having been knocked out of the Open Cup by Sporting KC in the round of 32, all of Dallas’s last six matches were played as part of the MLS caravan. They beat Galaxy in LA by 1-3, lost 2-1 away to Vancouver Whitecaps, lost 1-2 at home to Minnesota United, beat Orlando City away by 1-3, lost 0-2 at home to Vancouver, and finally drew 2-2 away to Austin.
Dallas had a two-goal lead in that match with just 20 minutes left on the clock as Paul Arriola and Brandon Servania both scored after the break, but then, Sebastian Druisi and Danny Hoesen struck for the home team and pulled the scoreline level.
Team News
Servania will surely be hoping to start in midfield this time, having come off the bench to score against Austin, and there’s no reason to assume head coach Nico Estevez will want anyone other than Arriola leading his front line.
Defender Joshue Quinonez missed the Austin trip through an ankle injury and is likely to sit this one out as well, which means Jose Martinez and Matt Hedges are set to continue as the centre-back pair.
Conclusion
With all due respect to Austin, this feels like a match likely to prove too hard for them at the moment. LA are undoubtedly the favourites to emerge victorious and keep their lead at the top of the Western Conference as formidable as it is now.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Betfair
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