Los Angeles FC vs FC Juarez Predictions
Los Angeles FC are second in the Western Conference table in the MLS. They have registered ten wins, seven draws, and six losses before the break and have earned 37 points from 23 games. Meanwhile, though the Liga MX 2023-24 Apertura season has just begun, FC Juarez have done well so far. They sit third in the table with seven points after playing three games, registering two wins and one draw.
This will be the first time Los Angeles FC and FC Juarez face each other. Despite their recent form being subpar, Los Angeles FC are still the favorites to win this fixture. They have an exceptional home form and have lost just two of their 12 home games in the current MLS season. Meanwhile, FC Juarez also have been strong on the road, winning both their away games against two of the strongest Liga MX sides.
Previous Meetings
These two sides have never met each other in any competition in the past. Being the top seed from MLS, Los Angeles FC had the advantage of advancing directly to the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup.
FC Juarez have not lost in regular time in their last five games. Their loss to fellow Liga MX side Mazatlan in the opening game of the group stage came in the penalty shootout after regulation time ended at one goal apiece. The odds are against the Mexican side, though, as they have failed to maintain a clean sheet in their last 14 games.
Los Angeles FC look like the favorites to win this fixture, as their players will be fresh after a nearly three-week break since the MLS paused for the Leagues Cup.
Los Angeles FC Will Look To Make a Strong Comeback
The MLS side has not featured in any game since they played their last MLS game before the break of July 16. By finishing at the top of the MLS Supporters Shield table last season, Los Angeles FC have dodged a couple of mercurial group stage games of the 2023 Leagues Cup..
The defending MLS champions will aim to make a strong comeback after a string of poor results in the domestic league before the break. After making a decent start this season, they faltered after losing the CONCACAF Champions League final.
In the last six games before the mid-season break, Los Angeles won just one game, and that win came against St. Louis City SC. However, the side dropped all available points against Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Dallas, and arch-rivals LA Galaxy.
San Jose Earthquakes and Minnesota United took a few more points off the defending champions by holding them to a draw. Despite coming into this game with a poor recent form, Los Angeles FC have been solid at home, and that could be advantageous to the club in the next match.
Match Fitness Could Be a Major Concern
Steven Cherundolo’s men have had a long break, with their last game against FC Dallas on July 16. While the break could mean a fresh new start for Los Angeles FC, it will also concern the coach.
Not having played a single game in the 2023 Leagues Cup so far, there are doubts whether Cherundolo’s men will be match-fit for their round of 32 clash against FC Juarez. The Mexican outfit have got two games under their belt during a nervy group stage.
A New Face in Attack Expected to Boost the Frontline
Los Angeles FC have been in great goalscoring form despite their poor results in recent matches in the domestic league. Top scorer Denis Bouanga has already found the back of the net 12 times this season and will be eager to add to that tally on Wednesday. He also has a couple of assists to his name.
Talisman Carlos Vela has bagged four goals and eight assists in 23 MLS appearances. The attacking department has received another boost as Spanish striker Mario Gonzalez has been signed from Braga on a three-year deal. The 27-year-old scored two goals in 14 games for Braga and will be a great addition to the Los Angeles FC attack.
FC Juarez’s Exceptional Start in the Domestic League
The 2022-23 Clausura season was one to forget for FC Juarez, as they won just three out of 17 games and finished 16th. They were eager to make things right in the 2023-24 Apertura season and have started on the right track.
In the first three fixtures of the new season, FC Juarez were up against three strong sides – Club America, Tigres UANL, and Toluca. The club pulled off three unexpected results after pundits predicted FC Juarez to struggle.
In the opening game of the season, they defeated 14-time Liga MX champions Club America in their own backyard. In the second game, they held defending Liga MX champions to a 1-1 draw before visiting Toluca and hammering them 4-2.
FC Juarez have not lost any of their last five games in regulation time. Their loss to Mazatlan in the opening group game of the Leagues Cup was on penalties. The Mexican club will be eager to continue their good form in the knockout stages of the Leagues Cup.
Aiming For Back-to-Back Wins Over American Clubs
FC Juarez registered an impressive 3-1 victory over MLS side Austin FC in their final do-or-die group stage game of the Leagues Cup. After losing the first game on penalties against Mazatlan, FC Juarez had to beat the American outfit, and they did it with aplomb.
Diego Mejia’s side will fancy their chances against Los Angeles FC, owing to their great away form and the victory over Austin FC in the group stage. However, the feat will not be easy for the Mexican side as Los Angeles FC have been almost impossible to beat at home this season.
New Arrivals Have Made an Instant Impact
In an effort to strengthen multiple departments on the pitch, FC Juarez roped in three new players at the end of June. Oscar Ortega has joined from Toluca, Angel Zapata has arrived from Monterrey, and Aitor Garcia has joined via a free transfer from Sporting Gijon.
Ortega has been solid in defense, while Zapata has already nabbed a goal and an assist in three Liga MX appearances. Up front, Garcia has played all three domestic league games and has already scored twice.
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