LAFC vs. LA Galaxy prediction, projected lineups, how to watch El Trafico | OneFootball

The most electric rivalry in Major League Soccer returns on Saturday night when LAFC hosts the LA Galaxy in the 26th El Trafico derby meeting across all competitions, and 21st in MLS regular season play.

Steve Cherundolo's LAFC side has won three in a row to surge up the Western Conference table following their return from FIFA Club World Cup competition. They sit fourth entering the weekend, seven points off the pace set by San Diego FC with three games in hand.

Greg Vanney's last-place Galaxy have been much improved since finally earning their first win on May 31, taking 11 points from their last seven MLS games. But they're still clearly a couple steps off last year's pace while they anxiously await Riqui Puig's return from a torn ACL sustaned in last year's Western Conference final.

Here's everything you need to know for the Saturday night clash from downtown Los Angeles.

How to watch LAFC vs. LA Galaxy

Time: Saturday, July 19, 10:30 pm ET

Venue: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles

Tickets: Click here

TV & Streaming: Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass

LAFC vs. LA Galaxy projected lineups

With the news of Aaron Long's season-ending injury altering the picture at center back, Cherundolo took an unusual step of playing a 3-4-3 in Wednesday's 1-0 victory at Minnesota United.

But it's unclear whether that owed more to wanting to reinforce a weakened center back group or to trying to counter Minnesota's unusual 5-3-2 shape.

The Galaxy have mostly played a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 this season, and after two games out, welcomed back Maya Yoshida for their last two contests.

Former Dortmund legend Marco Reus has seen his form improve significantly of late, but at age 36, starting three consecutive matches in eight days could be a challenge.

LAFC projected lineup (4-3-3, right to left)

Hugo Lloris (GK) - Sergi Palencia, Nkosi Tafari, Eddie Segura, Ryan Hollinshead - Tim Tillman, Igor, Mark Delgado - Javairo Dilrosun, Nathan Ordaz, Denis Bouanga

LAFC player status report

Maxime Chanot - head (out), Lorenzo Dellavalle - leg (out), Ryan Raposo - leg (out).

LA Galaxy projected lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)

Novak Micovic (GK) - Miki Yamane, Maya Yoshida, Carlos Garces, Julian Aude - Edwin Cerillo, Diego Fagundez - Gabriel Pec, Marco Reus, Joseph Paintsil - Matheus Nascimento

LA Galax player status report

Riqui Puig - knee (out)

LAFC vs. LA Galaxy predicton

Playing LAFC to a 2-2 draw back on May 18 was one of the Galaxy's best performances during their extraordinary 16-match winless run to begin the campaign.

Both teams are probbly in better form now, and in particular on the defensive end.

Wth playoff hopes remote, this game probably means more to the Galaxy than LAFC. It's just human nature, no matter how much the Black-and-Gold may insist this one matters as much to them.

Back the Galaxy to take a hard-fought away point in a game that may be more cautious than your average El Trafico fixture over the years.

Prediction: LAFC 1, LA Galaxy 1