The latest edition of El Trafico kicks off the new season of MLS and MLS Cup holders LAFC are the best pick to start the new campaign strongly.
Who Do Bettors Favor?
According to the latest odds at the top rated online sportsbooks its clear that bettors favor the reigning champion LAFC for this game. The team is considered the favorite at up to +155 while LA Galaxy, which is technically the home team, is on +170, and the draw is available at +280.
LA Galaxy v LAFC, 2023-02-25
This fixture is one of the most challenging to predict. The 18th overall meeting between the LA adversaries will be played for the first time at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and hopefully will be just as entertaining as the previous seventeen.
These teams don't require additional motivation to defeat one another, but Galaxy players have unfinished business after LAFC won 3-2 in their playoff match last year and Galaxy fans had to witness their bitter rivals win the MLS Cup. A win here early in the season would offer Galaxy a significant boost.
Neither team has made many editions, although Aaron Long joining LAFC was a notable piece of recruitment. LAFC finished second in scoring last year, while Galaxy also made the top five, so goals are on the cards, and given that this match will be played at what is effectively a neutral site, LAFC appears to be the best pick.
Orlando v NY Red Bulls, 2023-02-25
It ended up taking Orlando six seasons to qualify for the MLS playoffs and win a trophy. However, it ended that run in style last season, winning the US Open Cup and reaching the postseason, although it was knocked out in the first round. The transfer deals it made in the winter, as well as the new contract for Facundo Torres, show the franchise is not standing still.
The Red Bulls' history in Major League Soccer goes all the way back to the inaugural season, but it has yet to win the MLS Cup, and once again starts the hopeful journey carrying the expectation of fans.
Considering the uncertainty of previous contests between these teams, this one could be difficult to evaluate. The only thing we can confidently predict is goals, as last year's two regular season matches produced a total of nine goals. As a result of Aaron Long's departure from the Red Bulls' defence, Orlando could be given more opportunities to find the net, so Over 2.5 goals looks a good pick.
Philadelphia Union v Columbus Crew, 2023-02-25
Over the past two seasons, Philadelphia Union supporters have suffered more than their fair share of emotional turmoil. The team was defeated in the Eastern Conference final of 2021 after the majority of the team fell ill with COVID-19. Last year, it was on the verge of winning the Cup until a late goal through Gareth Bale sent the match to penalties, which Union ended up losing, leaving it trophyless after another outstanding regular season.
Can the players of Jim Curtin rally once again? They will certainly be up against many rivals keen to overtake them, including Wilfried Nancy's Columbus Crew squad. Columbus has struggled since winning the MLS Cup in 2020, but Nancy arrives with a solid reputation after turning Montreal Impact into an impressive team last year.
This could be an ideal opportunity for Nancy's squad to make a statement, as Columbus has not tasted victory in five meetings between the two teams. A sluggish start by Union may give Columbus the advantage, and that appears to be the best wager at these odds.
Nashville v New York City FC, 2023-02-25
Nashville's first match of the upcoming season will see the team take on the 2021 MLS Cup champion, New York City FC. When these teams last met on this field, there were four goals, two red cards and the home team won by a score of 3-1.
Even though it lost the MLS Cup title last year, NYCFC isn't going to be an easy opponent. Last year's Campeones Cup victory added to the 2021 home title, but you can be certain that this franchise's hunger for trophies will be just as strong this season.
Hany Mukhtar scored a brace on the last occasion that these two teams met in 2021, and he remains a lethal offensive threat, having led the MLS in scoring last season. He may be the deciding factor, and I'm betting on Nashville to begin with a narrow victory.
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