Best Odds: 13/10
Bookmaker:
Desperate to claim a much-needed boost in the early hours of Thursday, Los Angeles will welcome St. Louis to the BMO Stadium in midweek.
Los Angeles FC
Starting with the hosts, putting in another downbeat display last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a sluggish 1-1 draw against San Jose, it is no secret that Los Angeles are in the midst of an MLS nightmare., Opening July with a routine 2-0 defeat away at Dallas, Steve Cherundolo’s men have now collected just a single point from any of their previous four MLS appearances. With that extended crisis underlined by a 2-1 loss against bitter local rivals LA Galaxy earlier in the month, the California-based outfit have come under a huge amount of scrutiny on either side of June’s international break. In fact, on what has become a remarkable continued rut, LAFC have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their last 12 straight matchups across all competitions a run that stems all the way back to May 20th.
Team News
Dealing with what has become a mounting injury list, Los Angeles will once again be without the trio of Sergi Palencia, Jesus Murillo and Maxime Crepeau in midweek. Likewise, away with the USA on Gold Cup duties, LAFC will also be unable to call upon 30-year-old defender Aaron Long here.
Forced to settle for a spot on the bench against San Jose last weekend, former Arsenal starlet Carlos Vela will be hoping for a full recall in the early hours of Thursday.
St. Louis City
As for the visitors, while St. Louis might have shown a string of issues on either side of June’s international break, Bradley Carnell’s men have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Last seen putting in another rugged display as they secured a 1-0 victory away at Toronto, the MLS’ latest franchise have continued to impress many since opening the 2021 campaign. Signing off June with a lively 2-1 win away at San Jose, the Reds have now won each of their last three domestic appearances by an aggregate score of 5-1. Sat holding a three-point buffer at the top of the Western Conference and riding what has been a real wave of momentum, Thursday’s guests could be smelling the chance to make another statement in California. It should also be noted, St. Louis have mustered back-to-back MLS victories outside of Missouri.
Team News
St. Louis have confirmed that they will travel to California without the injured trio of Joakim Nilsson, Eduard Lowen and Joao Klauss in midweek. Continuing to impress since moving to the MLS this season, former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki will start between the sticks in the early hours of Thursday.
While 22-year-old Nicholas Gioacchini might have drawn a blank in each of his last three domestic appearances, the ex-Montpellier starlet will spearhead Carnell’s charge here.
Key Factors to Consider
