LA Galaxy vs New York City betting tips: Major League Soccer preview, predictions and odds

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The six MLS meetings between these two have produced 17 goals, including a 5-1 LA Galaxy win when NYCFC were an expansion club.

Both teams to score is 8/13.

Javier Hernández has scored 19 goals in 33 appearances for the Galaxy. The Mexican is 3/1 to open the scoring and 4/5 to add to his tally.

Valentín Castellanos meanwhile has netted 25 times for NYCFC since the start of last season. He is 4/1 to break the deadlock and 11/10 to score yet again.

Match preview

The champions begin the defence of their title, 2,800 miles across the country in California.

Back in December, New York City FC ended their seventh MLS season with silverware, beating Portland Timbers to win MLS Cup.

The Timbers snatched a 94th minute equaliser at Providence Park but NYCFC managed to come through and claim victory via a penalty shootout.

Just 78 days later, Ronny Deila's side begin the new Major League Soccer season.

The Blues have been largely quiet in the transfer market with James Sands, Jesús Medina and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi the notable departures.

There is a new DP centre-back in the Bronx with Thiago Martins arriving from another City Football Group club Yokohama F. Marinos.

NYCFC have actually already been in action this year, hammering Santos de Guápiles of Costa Rica 6-0 in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Alfredo Morales, Maxime Chanot and Talles Magno all scored in Wednesday's 'home' leg that was played at LAFC's Banc of California Stadium.

Will the Pigeons now carry this form into domestic soccer?

LA Galaxy meanwhile are MLS' most successful club having won a record five MLS Cups, four Supporters' Shields and a pair of U.S. Open Cups.

However, since beating New England Revolution in 2014 MLS Cup, no silverware has been seen in Carson.

In fact, the Galaxy have only made the play-offs once in the last five years, finishing below the dotted line in each of the last two campaigns.

Despite only leading them to eighth in the west last season, Greg Vanney will still the manager, but better is demanded this time round.

The notable departure in the off-season is Sebastian Lletget who, after seven seasons in LA, joined the Revs for $300,000 GAM.

Marky Delgado is his replacement with Douglas Costa the eye-catching arrival, on loan from Juventus.

If Costa can link-up with last season's top scorer Javier Hernández, the Galaxy's barren play-off record will certainly improve.

Who will make a week one statement at Dignity Health Sports Park?

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