Preview:Los Angeles FC vs. Colorado Rapids - prediction, team news, lineups

Having seen their five-game unbeaten run come to an end last time out, Los Angeles FC entertain the challenge of Colorado Rapids at BMO Stadium on Monday.

For the away side, avoiding a third straight defeat will be the objective as they also look to end a barren run of four matches without a victory.

Match preview

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Los Angeles were knocked out of the Leagues Cup in Saturday's quarter-final encounter against Mexican side Monterrey, which ended in a 3-2 loss.

Goals from Denis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz saw Steve Cherundolo's men head into the break with a commanding advantage, but a disastrous second half saw strikes from Sergio Canales and Rogelio Funes Mori either side of Sergi Palencia's own goal turn the game on its head.

Having seen their cup run end in disappointing fashion, The Black and Gold now turn their action to league duty where they currently occupy second place in the Western Conference, four points behind St. Louis City.

Lying in store next is the task of facing off against an opposing outfit who have held their own in this fixture of late with the most recent seven editions yielding three wins apiece for both teams and one share of the spoils.

Off the back of a first home defeat in five matches last time out, Monday's hosts now set out to avoid consecutive losses in front of their fans since early June.

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Colorado Rapids wrapped up a largely underwhelming group-stage campaign in the Leagues Cup with a 4-1 defeat against Toluca at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on August 1.

Robin Fraser's men trailed to Pedro Raul's opener and fell further behind to Edgar Rodriguez's strike before pulling one back through Diego Rubio, only for Jesus Angulo and Valber Huerta to both net in stoppage time and put the result beyond doubt.

With cup duty now out of the way, The Pids will be looking to breathe life into their league season as they sit bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Off the back of six defeats in a row away from home, Monday's visitors now prepare for what is set to be another daunting assignment on the road.

Team News

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Jack Price is still facing an extended spell on the sidelines for Colorado Rapids with an achilles tendon injury which he suffered back in March.

Max and Alex Gersbach also miss out for the away side through injury, but the latter is drawing increasingly closer to making his comeback.

Forward Diego Rubio is in contention to be named as a starter here, having marked his return to action with a goal off the bench last time out.

Denis Bouanga has found the back of the net six times in his last three outings for Los Angeles FC, making the Gabonese one to keep an eye on.

Twenty-seven-year-old Mario Gonzalez is expected to retain his place in the XI after he was handed his debut for the home side against Monterrey.

Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:

McCarthy; Palencia, Long, Chiellini, Hollingshead; Acosta, Sanchez, Bogusz; Biuk, Gonzalez, Bouanga

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:

Yarbrough; Wilson, Maxso, Bombito; Gutman, Leyva, Ronan, Rosenberry; Bassett, Harris, Galvan

We say: Los Angeles FC 3-1 Colorado Rapids

Given Bouanga's goalscoring heroics of late coupled with Colorado's poor away form heading into this one, Los Angeles are huge favourites and we are backing them to live up to expectations by claiming a relatively comfortable victory.

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