LAFC vs Nashville SC Prediction: Bouanga to get Black and Gold back in the groove

Los Angeles FC play host to Nashville SC at BMO Stadium on Sunday (KO, 02:30) in the fifth round of the 2024 MLS season, with both sides searching for their second win.

Below is all the latest team news and match odds ahead of this clash in California, alongside our LAFC vs Nashville SC prediction.

Team News

LAFC duo Omar Campos (Mexico U23) and Nathan Ordaz (El Salvador) have been called up on international duty, but the 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner, Denis Bouanga, has stayed with his club side.

Other notable names in the LAFC ranks include former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and ex-Leeds United talent Mateusz Bogusz.

Nashville are shorn of the services of Anibal Godoy (Panama) and Jacob Shaffelburg (Canada) for this fixture, but the likes of former Nottingham Forest forward Sam Surridge and 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar are available.

Randall Leal and Walker Zimmerman remain injured for the visitors.

Match Odds

LAFC are 8/15 - or a 65.2% chance - to beat Nashville SC, who have been given an 18.2% chance (9/2) of victory. The draw can be found at 11/4, both teams to score is 5/6 and over 2.5 goals is available at 4/5.

Denis Bouanga to score anytime @ 21/20

Last season's top scorer is yet to find the net in MLS but it's not been for the want of trying. Bouanga has fired off 20 shots, which is behind only Cucho Hernandez (25) and Tomas Chancalay (23), with five of them hitting the target.

The 29-year-old scored an equaliser in a 1-1 draw between LAFC and Nashville SC last season, which is the last time they played each other. I think Sunday is the day he finally gets going and pushes his claim to be 2024 MLS top scorer.

LAFC to win and both teams to score @ 23/10

Both sides haven't exactly been firing on all cylinders this season, with Nashville also having to juggle the demands of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

LAFC are unbeaten at home this term though, beating Seattle Sounders 2-1 at BMO Stadium before being held to a goalless draw by Sporting Kansas City.

Nashville drew their only MLS away game 1-1 with Colorado Rapids but also went down 3-1 to Inter Miami in the Champions Cup earlier this month.

The Boys in Gold will be confident in scoring on the road after finding the net in their last six games in all competitions, but despite failing to score in their last three, I think LAFC have enough to claim the three points on Sunday.

It might just take a Bouanga goal for it all to click, and I think the Gabon forward will get that goal and push the Black and Gold to victory.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.