We have some great fixtures to look forward to in Major League Soccer this week but the match in the Western Conference between LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC is going to be hard to beat.
As things stand in the Western Conference, Los Angeles FC lead the way with 46 points from their twenty games. That leaves them two places and 12 points clear of third place LA Galaxy, who have 34 points from the same number of games.
Can LA Galaxy close the gap or will Los Angeles FC consolidate their position at the top of the Western Conference?
LA Galaxy come into this match having lost 3-1 at home to San Jose Earthquakes last time out. It was a disappointing result at home against a team which is below them in the table. That result means LA Galaxy have won two of their last five games in all competitions.
Trends show just four wins in their last eleven MLS games, which is not good enough form to catch the teams above them. Home form has also been poor of late and LA Galaxy have lost four of their last five league matches at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Conceding goals has been a problem and LA Galaxy have failed to keep a clean sheet in ten of their last twelve home league games. They have conceded 2 or more goals in three of their last five home MLS matches and need to improve in that aspect of their game.
Los Angeles FC will make the short trip to Dignity Health Sports Park having defeated Houston Dynamo 3-1 away from home last weekend. It was a good response to the 1-0 loss at home in the US Open Cup against Portland Timbers and sees them remain comfortably on top of the Western Conference.
Trends show Los Angeles FC have won each of their last three MLS matches. Not only have they defeated Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver Whitecaps and Houston Dynamo, they have done so in style, winning each game by 2 or more goals.
Los Angeles FC scored 14 goals across those three games and they have been defeated just three times in their last twenty-one MLS matches. Trends show they have won five of their last ten away MLS games by 2 or more goals.
Looking ahead to the team news and LA Galaxy could be without the injured trio of Chris Pontius, Sebastian Lletget and Romain Alessandrini.
Los Angeles FC have fitness doubts over three of their own players with Adrien Perez, Danilo da Silva and Alejandro Guido rated as doubtful.
Three of the four top scorers in Major League Soccer will be playing in this game, so there should be goals. However, Los Angeles FC are in good form and must start as favourites to take maximum points, with both teams scoring.