LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls Picks: 2024 MLS Cup Preview and Odds (Dec 7)

If you’re looking for LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls predictions, 2024 MLS Cup odds analysis, player news, and more, you’re at the right place!

The 2024 MLS season will reach its peak on Saturday, December 7, when LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls lock horns in the battle for the MLS Cup.

The final game of the season will take place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA, which is the home ground of the Galaxy, where these guys are 10-0 since summer. However, the Red Bulls are fantastic on the road, coming to the Golden State after three straight wins on the road.

2024 MLS Cup Odds Favor America’s Most Successful Soccer Team

MLS sportsbooks all see LA Galaxy as the favorite to list the trophy on December 7. If they do it, they will extend their record for most titles won to six.

Meanwhile, the New York Red Bulls are still looking for their first MLS Cup win after two unsuccessful attempts. Will it be the third time’s the charm for New Yorkers? Based on the 2024 MLS Cup Final odds, the answer is no – they’re seen as +325 underdogs.

Head-to-Head: Galaxy’s Dominance Over the Red Bulls

LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls Key Stats

• LA Galaxy scored 16 goals in their last four games; the Red Bulls scored six.
• Four of Galaxy’s players have scored double-digit number of goals in 2024; two of NYRB’s players did the same.
• Four of the Top 5 scorers in the 2024 MLS Playoffs are Galaxy’s players.

LA Galaxy Team News

There’s some good news for fans of the Galaxy – one of their best defenders could make his comeback after nearly four months.

The man in question is Martin Caceres, a 37-year-old veteran who used to play for such European heavyweights as Juventus, Lazio, and Sevilla before moving to the US.

Even if he doesn’t return to action in the 2024 MLS Cup Final game, it’s not a disaster. The thing is that his teammates are used to playing without him on the field. After all, they kept a clean sheet in their most recent game (1:0 win over the Seattle Sounders).

But truth be told, they haven’t done too great defensively this season. In fact, the Galaxy are allowing almost two goals per game on average.

Possible Lineup:

John McCarthy (GK); John Nelson, Maya Yosheda, Carlos Emiro Garces, Miki Yamane, Riqui Puig, Marco Reus, Edwin Cerillo, Gabriel Pec, Jospeh Painstil, Dejan Joveljić.

New York Red Bulls Team News

The Red Bulls will likely miss a couple of first-team players, with their biggest worry being Sean Nealis. He’s been one of their key defenders this season, so missing him could be a problem.

Nealis suffered a concussion in NYRB’s last game (1:0 win over Orlando City). It’s still unclear whether he’ll play or not – it all depends on the medical staff whose clearance he needs.

What is clear is that his colleague from the defensive department, Kyle Duncan, will miss the MLS Cup Final. Still, even if he was 100% fit, coach Sandro Swartz probably wouldn’t put him in the starting XI.

The same goes for forward Cory Burke, who’s played just one minute for the Red Bulls since September.

Possible Lineup:

Carlos Coronel (GK); Noah Eile, Andres Reyes, Dylan Nealis, John Tolkin, Felipe Carballo, Daniel Edelman, Lewis Morgan, Cameron Harper, Emil Forsberg, Dante Vanzeir.

LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls Picks

Who’s going to win the 2024 MLS Cup? Our prediction is that it’s going to be LA Galaxy. We have three reasons for this, the first being that this team’s players are just better than those playing for the Red Bulls.

We’re not saying this without proof – as per Transfermarkt, the value of Galaxy’s roster is 33% higher than the one of NYRB.

The No. 2 reason why we think the Galaxy will win is that the 2024 MLS Cup Final is played on their turf where they have all wins since early July.

The final reason is that Greg Vanney’s men have huge motivation to win another title. If they do it, they’ll ensure that no one can leapfrog them on the MLS Cup all-time list until (at least) 2027.

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• MLS