02/11/2024, 04:30
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, USA
In the second leg of this round of MLS Best-of-Three playoffs, Colorado Rapids come up against LA Galaxy, defeated comprehensively 5-0 in Los Angeles. That means Chris Armas and the Rapids must mount a serious response at home if they are to turn around their playoff hopes. Greg Vanney's Galaxy had exercised their home advantage with precision and dominance, most notably through an inspired Riqui Puig, netting two goals and creating another. Given the result in the first leg, Colorado are under immense pressure to keep their playoff hopes alive, while LA Galaxy will be looking to seal a place in the next round with another dominant display.
Claim Welcome BonusColorado Rapids
Entering this crucial home match, Colorado will have to somehow find a way to overcome this huge five-goal deficit. Thus far this season, head coach Chris Armas has relied on a 4-2-3-1 formation, but it failed miserably to get into rhythm in the first leg. With home-field advantage in their corner, Colorado must finalize a more poised approach to possession and create chances to improve from an opening match in which they recorded no shots on target and engineered no clear-cut scoring opportunities. For that, the Rapids need more intensity in winning duels and transition moments to contain the intense style of LA Galaxy.
Colorado will likely be very aggressive in trying to break the defensive lines of LA Galaxy, meaning much more dynamism in the forward movements and quicker ball transition. The approach may require them to be riskier and therefore more susceptible to LA's counterattacks.
Expect high recoveries in the middle of the pitch to interrupt the LA build-up. Colorado needs to improve on first-leg possession-34% by dictating the rhythm of most of the game, which must be made up with tenacity and tactical discipline from their central and defensive midfielders.
The Colo defense needs to stay compact, block the gaps in between, shut down passing lanes, and not get overrun as has happened most of this season. All concentration would go toward being better in defensive duels and tracking runs, especially off the wide men from LA.
Predicted Lineup
LA Galaxy
On the back of its dominant win in the first leg, LA Galaxy is looking to continue in similar fashion away from home. Greg Vanney's 4-3-3 worked superbly, creating a number of high-quality chances while controlling the midfield. Most likely, Vanney's men will be true to their style of play - possession-heavy and direct-looking to exploit Colorado's defensive frailties with wide play. Coming into this match with confidence from his standout performance, Riqui Puig will look to press Colorado's defensive weaknesses early, trying to solidify LA Galaxy's aggregate lead. LA Galaxy will most likely continue with their possession-centric gameplay, flowing through midfield into the forwards to control the tempo of the game. They will look to target Colorado's defensive flanks, particularly creating overlapping runs and quick, incisive passes.
Quick transitions complement the directness of Galaxy, as they can fully exploit Colorado's need to push forward. Quick and efficient passing sequences should help them bypass Colorado's midfield and create scoring chances.
The Colorado attempts at direct play could be better counter-attacked by a disciplined, high defensive line. With a tackle success rate of 71% in the first leg to back them up, it will certainly be an attempt from LA's defense to disrupt the Colorado attack early and gain possession efficiently.
Predicted Lineup
Head to Head
Colorado leads 9-7 over the last 20 matches between these teams, with four ending in draws. That is a slight historical advantage for Colorado, but if recent trends are to be believed, LA Galaxy have gained significant ascendancy. The first leg in the playoffs this season showed just how LA can seek to exploit any lapses in Colorado's defensive setup. Historically decent at home, the Rapids will have a serious test of that against the current Galaxy trend.
Expert Betting Tips
The first leg was a reflection of the quality gap and difference in approach between the two sides. The possession-and-chance-creation approach of LA Galaxy was top drawer, reflected in their four big chances and nine shots on target. With superior midfield control amplifying Riqui Puig's playmaking, attempts by Colorado to contain them were neutered, and they struggled to establish any meaningful offense. That inability to create scoring chances for Colorado will be a huge cause for concern as they face a must-win situation in this second leg.
Without a response, five goals against them being scored will make it tough for the Rapids' defense to be reshaped against an LA Galaxy that is quick at taking advantage of any gap in their opponent's backline. On the other side, the LA Galaxy midfield and defensive stamina is well underlined by 71% tackles with a high rate of duel wins as they provide solid ground withstanding Colorado's expected push for an early lead. LA's tactical flexibility could mean that they will be more conservative if an early lead is attained to manage the pace of the game and render Colorado's efforts null.
- LA Galaxy Win/Draw & Under 5.5 Goals @ 1.79 Odds
- LA Galaxy Win/Draw & Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.99 Odds
- LA Galaxy Wins @ 2.30 Odds
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