Football Bet of the Day: Real Salt Lake to be involved in another thriller

Real Salt Lake continue to lead the way in the Western Conference of MLS. They are on 37 points at the summit and their two closest rivals are the Californian neighbours Los Angeles FC and LA Galaxy, who are both on 34 points.

Real Salt Lake are in action with LA Galaxy on Sunday (02:30, Apple TV) at America First Field, in a game that could potentially change the current dynamic of the league table. Both sides have been in excellent form of late ahead of this huge clash, and it is from this match that I have selected my football bet of the day for Sunday, June 23.

Real Salt Lake vs LA Galaxy Odds

It was just over a month ago when these teams met for the first time this season at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles. The points were shared that day as they played out a 2-2 draw.

Real Salt Lake's top striker, Cristian Arango, who is the leading marksman in MLS this term with 16 goals in 19 appearances, netted a brace that day inside the first half. It took a Miguel Berry equaliser in stoppage time to salvage a point for Los Angelinos, but that point has helped keep them within touching distance of the Western Conference leaders.

Four goals were scored that day and I believe that we can see at least that figure scored again in the second meeting. Four of Real Salt Lake's last six MLS outings has seen over 3.5 goals land, while six of the last seven league matches for LA Galaxy have produced at least three goals.

This game has high stakes as the hosts can increase their advantage over one of their nearest rivals, while LA Galaxy could move level with them at the summit. Their goal difference is eight worse off than the table-toppers, but they will be looking to reduce that deficit on Sunday.

There will be plenty of eyes on the attacking players, most notably Arango (4/5 to score anytime and 3/1 to score first), who as well as blazing the trail in the scoring charts, has also provided 11 assists for his team mates. With the season that he is having, I expect him to play a starring role in this fixture, and I wouldn't put it past him to add to both tallies.

Another Real Salt Lake star who has been having a profitable campaign in front of goal is Andres Gomez, who has scored 10 in 18 matches, including a brace in the recent 4-3 victory over Sporting Kansas City.  He too has dabbled with assists this term, with seven to his name thus far.

For LA Galaxy, they boast the sixth top scorer in MLS in Dejan Joveljic (7/4 to score anytime) with 11 goals in 18 appearances. He has four in four heading into this clash, so he will be full of confidence as his side travel to Utah.

Los Angelionos' biggest creative threat comes in the form of former Barcelona academy prospect Riqui Puig. The 24-year-old midfielder has set up eight goals in 16 matches this season, although he has been absent for the last two matches.

There is going to be an abundance of quality on the pitch for this epic contest, and I do think the goals will flow. I don't want to tempt fate but we could be in for one of the games of the season.

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