Football Bet of the Day: Galaxy to rise to Rose Bowl occasion in El Tráfico

There are 21 MLS matches being played before the end of this week, but it's fair to say none will be as fiercely contested as the one taking place at Pasadena's iconic Rose Bowl on Friday (03:30, Apple TV), as Los Angeles Galaxy host city rivals Los Angeles FC in the second 'El Trafico' of the calendar year.

Naturally, this derby catches the eye and is therefore included in my football bet of the day for Friday, July 5.

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Los Angeles Galaxy vs Los Angeles FC Odds

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LA Galaxy usually play their home games at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson but for the second time in El Trafico's history, the Los Angeles derby will be hosted at the Rose Bowl, the 16th-largest stadium in the world.

Wherever the rivalry takes place, you're usually guaranteed an entertaining contest.

Nine of the last 10 head-to-heads have seen at least three goals scored, with both teams scoring in eight of those. LAFC have earned most of the bragging rights in recent years, winning five of the last seven meetings - including the last two - and they triumphed in the most recent match-up in April when Timothy Tillman and Denis Bouanga struck either side of a Julian Aude effort.

That was the Galaxy's first defeat of the season after a six-game unbeaten start, but they haven't let that disappointment harm them as they have only lost a further two times in their subsequent 14 outings. They've won eight of those contests, including their last four, keeping a clean sheet in their most recent three.

LAFC have been in superb form themselves, however, winning eight of their last nine in MLS, drawing the other 1-1 with Austin FC on June 20.

The excellent results achieved by both have set up a mouthwatering contest on Friday as LAFC and LA Galaxy each arrive on 40 points with the former only topping the Western Conference on goal difference, albeit they have also played a game fewer than their rivals.

I'm reluctant to call a winner at the Rose Bowl, but I believe the Galaxy can avoid defeat, and backing both sides to find the net brings the odds above EVS to 23/20.

The Galaxy are buoyed by the return to action of influential midfielder Riqui Puig, who made his comeback as a substitute in last Sunday's 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. Before his three-game absence, the 24-year-old Spaniard had scored in three consecutive appearances, and he has two El Trafico strikes to his name having found the net in May and July of last year.

Puig is in line to return to the starting XI on Friday, and that will act as a big boost to Galaxy players and fans alike.

Both teams to score is practically standard in El Trafico now, and Puig and co can inspire the hosts to at least pick up a point at the Rose Bowl.

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