LAFC Face Must-Win Game Against Sounders on Tuesday Night
Los Angeles FC is slowly running out of chances to get themselves into the playoffs. With just three games left on their schedule, Bob Bradley’s team is facing a must-win game on Tuesday against the Seattle Sounders.
It won’t be easy for LAFC to get a result with the Sounders currently atop the Western Conference standings and hoping to take a step toward securing the top seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.
According to BetUS, LAFC is favored at home with a somewhat lopsided betting odds of -120. Meanwhile, the Sounders are at +310, while the draw is set at +290. BetOnline have pretty similar betting odds, with LAFC priced at -120, while the Sounders are at +330 to take the W. The draw is priced at +285.
As for those interested in totals betting, this match also has an over/under of 2.5 total goals at both sportsbooks.
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The Playoff Race
As mentioned, Seattle currently leads the Western Conference standings with 58 points. However, that only gives them a three-point cushion over both Sporting Kansas City and the Colorado Rapids. Seattle and Colorado have three games left to play, but Kansas City has four games, so the Sounders have no margin for error if they want to remain in control of their own destiny.
As for LAFC, they currently sit ninth in the Western Conference, two spots behind the last playoff spot. With 41 points, Los Angeles is three points behind the Vancouver Whitecaps, who currently occupy the final playoff spot. With three games left, LAFC will have to make up those three points while also going ahead of Real Salt Lake, which has 42 points but four games left to play.
Finally Peaking
With a four-match unbeaten run, LAFC can only hope that they are peaking at the right time of year. Unfortunately, they had to settle for a draw with Minnesota over the weekend, giving them two wins and two draws in their last four games. But with eight goals in those four games, things are moving in the right direction for Los Angeles.
Leading scorer Cristian Arango has been the catalyst during this recent hot streak. He has six goals and one assist in the team’s last three games, contributing to every goal LAFC has scored during that stretch. However, Los Angeles has become overly reliant on Arango and will need to be sharp defensively against Seattle despite not keeping a clean sheet in nine straight matches.
Sound of Settling
A few weeks ago, it looked like a certainty that Seattle would earn the top seed in the playoffs. But after two losses and a draw in their last three matches, the Sounders are suddenly reeling and not looking like themselves.
Seattle still has the best defensive record in MLS, giving up just 28 goals in 31 matches, although they’ve given up six goals in their last four matches without keeping a clean sheet during that stretch.
On the bright side, the Sounders have scored the third-most goals in MLS this season and are a virtual lock to score at least one goal in every game. However, leading scorer Raul Ruidiaz hasn’t played since late September due to injury, which has contributed to the Sounders scoring just one goal in each of their last three games.
Fredy Montero has also gone cold lately, shifting the pressure to Cristian Roldan, who is second on the Sounders in both goals and assists.
The Time to Strike
With the Sounders going winless in their last three games, LAFC is facing Seattle at the right time, especially with the game in Los Angeles. But without more consistent play on the defensive end of the field, it’s tough to find value in LAFC as the favorite in this game. If you are going to bet online, bet on this match to end in a draw.
