One of the biggest competitions in the Americas will reach its end over the next seven days, as the CONCACAF Champions League will crown the 2023 champions.
It promises to be a thrilling final two matches of the competition this season, with LAFC looking to give the U.S. a second straight win in the tournament. However, the MLS side will face a difficult challenge, as they come up against Mexico’s Leon.
You can find the latest Leon vs Los Angeles FC odds and our soccer betting predictions below.
Soccer Betting at BetOnline: The Best Way to Bet on the World’s Game
Overall Game Info & Outlook
Leon vs Los Angeles FC
When: Wednesday, May 31, 10:00 PM ET
Where: Estadio Leon, Leon, Mexico
How To Watch: FOX
LAFC at Leon Betting Preview
Leon Preview
Club Leon will have home advantage for the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday evening. The Mexican side’s previous best showing at the tournament came back in 2022, as they reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their history. Leon managed to earn qualification for the competition this year after finishing as the runners-up in the Apertura 2021.
Leon made no mistake in the round of 16, as they entered the competition with a straightforward 3-0 aggregate success over Tauro. However, one of their best performances came in the quarterfinals, as they breezed to a 6-2 aggregate success over Violette, but they were defeated 2-1 by the outsiders in the soccer odds in the return match in the middle of April.
It was an all-Mexican showdown in the semi-finals of the Champions League this season, as Leon came up against UANL. The sides played out two dramatic ties, with Leon forced to show all their character after losing the first leg 2-1. However, they made no mistake in the return match between the sides on May 3. Fidel Ambriz, Angel Mena, and Adonis Frias score the goals in a 3-1 success at Estadio Leon. Leon’s home form is poor, with just one win in four.
LAFC Preview
The Leon vs Los Angeles FC odds will show the MLS side as the favorite to claim victory in the CONCACAF Champions League this term. That would be a historic success for the team, as only one previous U.S. side has won the competition. However, that maiden victory was recorded 12 months ago, as the Seattle Sounders ended a two-match losing sequence in the finals for U.S.-based sides.
Los Angeles FC have made the finals on one previous occasion, but they were beaten in the 2020 showpiece by Mexico’s UANL. However, the format of the competition is different now, as there is no longer a one-game shootout to determine the winner. As one of the front-runners in the MLS odds, LAFC have needed to balance their performances across both competitions over the early months of 2023.
LAFC kicked off their campaign in the Champions League with a 4-2 aggregate win over Alajuelense, with a hat-trick from Denis Bouanga doing the damage in the first leg. It was a far more straightforward assignment in the quarterfinals, as LAFC breezed to a 6-0 aggregate win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. Bouanga scored twice in the first leg, before Carlos Vela netted a price back on the west coast.
It was another all-MLS showdown in the semi-finals of the competition, with LAFC eventually landing a 4-1 aggregate success over Philadelphia Union. The damage was done in the return match in Los Angeles, with Timothy Tillman, Kwadwo Opoku and Bouanga netting the goals in a 3-0 win.
Top Sportsbooks Odds
BetOnline: Leon (-102) Draw (+265) LAFC (+269)
Bovada: Leon (-102) Draw (+265) LAFC (+269)
MyBookie: Leon (+104) Draw (+260) LAFC (+255)
BetUS: Leon (-110) Draw (+265) LAFC (+270)
BetNow: Leon (+101) Draw (+266) LAFC (+266)
LAFC at Leon Odds & Picks
Odds For This Matchup:
Leon | -102 |
Draw | +265 |
LAFC | +269 |
Over 2.5 Goals | -122 |
Under 2.5 Goals | +102 |
Recommended Pick:
The Leon vs LAFC odds highlight the hosts as clear favorites for this first leg on Wednesday evening, and it could be challenging to overlook their home record in the competition to this point. They have won all three of their matches at Estadio Leon, and they have conceded just once across those matches.
Leon has been able to rest players ahead of this showdown on Wednesday, while LAFC’s campaign in the MLS is only just getting started. Leon’s fitness could be a key factor to consider, and it is a main reason why the CONCACAF Champions League has been won regularly by clubs from Mexico.
LAFC has had a week to prepare for this tie, but their defeat against LA Galaxy in the round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup would have done little to aid their confidence. The first 15 minutes will be key for both sides in this fixture, as Leon has been a very quick starter throughout this dream run to the final.
That has been evident throughout the Champions League, as they have netted first in all six of their matches in the competition. Meanwhile, three of their four goals in the win over Tigres were netted inside a stunning opening 15 minutes.
Final Thoughts
LAFC will need to ensure that they don’t cave under the pressure of the hostile home crowd. A tie could be over if Leon are able to build up a sizable early advantage. We expect LAFC to offer a more compact defense than Tigres did, but we would be incredibly surprised if they are able to take a victory back to the U.S. The main pick in the BetOnline soccer market will be on Leon to claim victory, and over 2.5 goals being scored in the match.
- Pick: Leon
- Pick: Over 2.5 Goals
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