Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles FC preview and prediction
MLS is back in action, and we have a firecracker of a game on our hands this Saturday when Los Angeles FC heads north to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in a Western Conference semifinal recap.
These are two squads sitting in first and second place in the West, but they’ve headed in different directions after the World Cup break. While the Whitecaps have a loss and draw in MLS play since returning to action, LAFC has rattled off three consecutive MLS wins, outscoring their opponents 10-1 in that span. Although the visitors are red-hot, this Vancouver squad is 7-0-1 at home this season, with their only defeat coming against the San Jose Earthquake (1-0) in March.
This could be a Western Conference Final preview, so let’s get into my Whitecaps vs. LAFC predictions.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles FC MLS Odds and Betting Trends
The Whitecaps have -110 odds on the three-way moneyline, the draw sits at +290 and LAFC are +230 road underdogs. The over/under is 3.0 on the MLS odds; the over carries a -125 price, while the under has +105 odds.
This game is filled with superstars. Brian White, Denis Bouanga, Thomas Muller, Ryan Gauld, Rayan Elloumi and Heung-Min Son all have odds shorter than +200 to score. Oddsmakers clearly expect goals, but White (+135) and Bouanga (+145) are the frontrunners. They both lead their respective teams in goals with 10 to their names this season.
Vancouver Whitecaps
The Whitecaps enter this match as one of the most extreme cases for home/away splits in the MLS. Vancouver have collected 21 of their 33 points this season at BC Place, losing just one contest (7-0-1). Meanwhile, they’re an average road team at 3-3-2, so they know they need to take advantage of their home crowd against an elite MLS side in LAFC. Brian White is the main man up top (10 goals and two assists), but captain Ryan Gauld just returned from a long-term knee injury and scored a brace against FC Cincinnati in his first game in 501 days.
Vancouver enter this game after a 0-0 road draw versus Minnesota United and a 4-3 road defeat at FC Cincinnati. They will feel like this is the perfect game to get back on track, but it won’t be easy. LAFC took this team to penalty kicks in the Western Conference semifinals last postseason, and they will want revenge after that defeat.
Los Angeles FC
LAFC enter this match in fantastic form. The visitors have rattled off three consecutive wins since the MLS returned to play, which couldn’t have come at a better time. LAFC were 1-1-4 in the six games leading up to the World Cup, but they’ve now posted two shutout wins, and their only goal allowed came in the 86th minute against Real Salt Lake. Like Vancouver, LAFC have been elite at home (7-1-2), but they’re just 3-2-3 on the road. However, their defence has played well away from home, allowing just nine goals in eight matches.
Bouanga and Son make up one of the deadliest duos in the MLS, as they’ve combined for 13 goals and 11 assists this season. However, 20-year-old David Martinez gives LAFC a third attacking option. He came off the bench in LAFC’s first two matches after the break before starting and scoring in their latest 4-0 win against Sporting Kansas City. He now has six goals this season.
MLS Prediction: Who Will Win Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles FC?
Best bet: Los Angeles FC draw or win (-110)
As good as Vancouver have been at BC Place, this LAFC team is playing at another level right now. Additionally, they’ve somewhat had the Whitecaps’ number when playing in Vancouver, as the hosts are just 1-2-2 in their last five home meetings with LAFC. Gauld returning to the lineup is a big boost for the hosts, but I expect the visitors to leave Canada with at least one point.
Final score prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 | Los Angeles FC 2