- Los Angeles FC have gone 5 games unbeaten (W4, D1) across all competitions. Colorado have won 3 of their last 5 games across all competitions but lost their other 2. LAFC have failed to win their last 2 trips to face Colorado and the last meeting finished 0-0 at LAFC's home.
Rapids’ run of form is solid, LAFC’s is hot
Colorado Rapids are 20th in MLS 2026 with 22 points from 18 games, while Los Angeles are 4th with 34 points from 19. Both teams have had impressive recent runs of form, however, with the home side winning 3 of their last 5 and the visitors unbeaten in 5, so a close, cagey match looks on the cards when the two lock horns at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, USA.
Matt Wells has done an excellent job since taking the reigns of Colorado Rapids on 23 December 2025 and has been rewarded with a return of 6 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses from 14 league matches. He has developed a flexible 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 system that attacks from the wings with his two number 10s and plays with high energy in the counter-press and counter-attack.
Rapids have won 3 of their last 4 at home and could be a tricky proposition on Thursday, given their return of 5-0-3 and 17 goals scored from 8 home games in MLS 2026. Rafael Navarro is their main man with 7 goals in 18 appearances and 2 of the Rapids' last 5 strikes.
Dos Santos’ side are a more polished unit
Marc Dos Santos has maintained LAFC's possession-first blueprint since taking over the reins on 5 December 2025, which is all about controlling the ball in midfield and moving it into the half-space to create combinations. It is a more sophisticated system that LAFC run, and Colorado will need to be at their best to win this one, although they should still be in the game against a team that is 3-3-3 on the road in MLS 2026 and have conceded just 10 goals in 9 away fixtures.
The Black and Gold have failed to win their last 2 visits to Colorado, so I don't like them in the outright market at 2.4, while the home team are only slightly inferior at 2.62. Instead, I'm backing the draw at 3.65, which seems a bit generous considering the teams are close in ability and have had similar starts to the campaign.
LAFC can nick it in a grinding clash
Both teams to score at 1.5 looks a sensible bet in the side bets, however, as Colorado can create chaos if they win the ball early on and LAFC will get a few chances. Denis Bouanga, who has scored 10 times in 18 MLS 2026 games, is LAFC's biggest threat, while he has scored 4 of their last 8 goals.
I feel the teams will be so close come full-time that I don't feel confident in backing either to grab all 3 points, but if pushed for a winner, would go with LAFC. If the hosts win the ball and create openings, they can certainly rattle the LAFC defence, but if Dos Santos' men get the territory and possession advantage, they are likely to nick it.
