Los Angeles vs Club America Prediction: Big-game player Bouanga to rise to occasion

Following Club Leon's expulsion from the competition, Los Angeles FC and Club America have been handed the chance to qualify for the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup, taking place in the USA. The winner of this play-in tie, which will be played at LAFC's BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California on Sunday (03:30, DAZN), will join Chelsea, Flamengo and Esperance Sportive de Tunis in Group D of the tournament, which kicks off on June 15.

Below are my Los Angeles vs Club America predictions, complete with all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

LAFC were last in action the previous Sunday, drawing 2-2 with CF Montreal in MLS. Former Bayern Munich man Timothy Tillman missed that stalemate with a leg injury, and the 26-year-old isn't expected to return in time to take on Club America.

Frankie Amaya was Tillman's replacement in the starting XI last weekend, and the American midfielder, on loan from Liga MX side Toluca, looks likely to get the nod again if his compatriot isn't passed fit.

Football Odds

Olivier Giroud came off the bench to level the scores at 2-2 against Montreal, and the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker is expected to be utilised once more as a 'super sub' this Sunday.

Chilean defender Igor Lichnovsky (knee) and Mexican forward Patricio Salas (unspecified) missed Club America's 2-0 defeat at Toluca last Monday, and both players are set to miss out again this weekend.

Mexican striker Henry Martin and USA international Alex Zendejas are likely to continue in attack for Andre Jardine's side.

Los Angeles vs Club America Odds

LAFC won the first-ever meeting between these sides, played at the Inter&Co Stadium in Florida in December 2020, and Sunday's hosts are 8/5, or a 38.5% chance, to win in regulation time this weekend. However, these sides can't be separated in the market, with Club America also offered odds of 8/5 to do the business without the need for extra time.

The draw, which would send the tie to an extra 30 minutes, and potentially a penalty shootout, can be backed at 9/4. Both teams to score is priced at 4/6, and over 2.5 total goals at 10/11.

Anytime Goalscorer - Denis Bouanga (LAFC) @ 7/4

Gabon international Denis Bouanga has been a Stateside sensation since his switch from Saint-Etienne in 2022, scoring 79 goals in 122 appearances for LAFC. He struck 38 times in his first full season at the club, and while he didn't hit those heights last season, he still scored a more than respectable 28 across all competitions.

The 30-year-old has struck 10 times in the current campaign, netting three times in the Concacaf Champions Cup, a competition in which he scored against a Mexican club, Leon, back in June 2023.

Bouanga arrives into Sunday's showdown clash in fine form, scoring in six of his last eight appearances, notching seven times in that run.

He's shown before that he can thrive in big games, netting eight goals in as many 'El Trafico' games against the LA Galaxy, and I think he can rise to the occasion again this weekend.

Bouanga also opened the scoring in a 2-1 friendly victory over Club America in February.

To Win Tie - Los Angeles @ 5/6

Since 2018, LAFC have played 11 non-friendlies against Liga MX teams, outscoring opponents 22 goals to 13 in those matches, with an overall record of five wins, five losses, and one draw.

Meanwhile, Club America, who have won three consecutive Liga MX titles in the Apertura-Clausura era, boast an impressive record against MLS sides, posting eight wins, two draws and five defeats from 15 games.

However, Aguilas lost their only previous competitive fixture against LAFC, suffering a 3-1 defeat in the 2020 Concacaf Champions League semi-finals.

Both teams head into this contest in contrasting form, with LAFC unbeaten since April 10, winning three and drawing four of their last seven games, while Club America have only won three of their last 12.

Fifa pledged to make BMO Stadium as neutral as possible in terms of tickets this weekend, but LAFC's players should still feel the benefit of playing in familiar surroundings, and that might give them a slight edge here.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.