LAFC welcomes the Colorado Rapids Saturday to the Banc of California Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff for an MLS opener for both clubs. Below, we preview the LAFC vs. Colorado odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
After a highly disappointing season a year ago, LAFC will look to get back to the top of the Western Conference behind fully healthy star F Carlos Vela.
They added M Kellyn Acosta this offseason, and he is set to bolster an already strong midfield. LAFC battled injuries last season and finished in ninth place in the West with a 12-13-9 (W-L-draw) record.
Colorado finished atop the West last season but lost to Portland as the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. The Rapids were led by a dominant defense that allowed 35 goals in 34 games.
M Jonathan Lewis and F Michael Barrios, their two top scorers from a season ago, are back for the 2022 season.
LAFC vs. Colorado: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:26 a.m. ET.
- Money line: LAFC -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Colorado +390 (bet $100 to win $390) | Draw +295
- Over/Under: 3.5 (O: -175 | U: +130)
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Prediction
LAFC 3, Colorado 1
Money line (ML)
BET LAFC (-160).
LAFC has added several key pieces, particularly Acosta.
Los Angeles also looked to boost its defense by adding former Atlanta United D Franco Escobar. Kicking off the season at full strength, LAFC should be considered the team to beat in the West.
The Rapids shouldn’t be taken lightly, but they did have an 8-6-3 road record last season, totaling 27 road points. LAFC was banged up most of last year and still had an 8-3-6 record at home.
Over/Under (O/U)
Forget the 2.5 O/U line, BET OVER 3.5 (+140).
The Rapids and LAFC met prior to the playoffs last season, and that match finished 5-2 in favor of Colorado. The Rapids have the scoring to keep up with LAFC behind Lewis and Barrios.
The home side is going to be pushing the pace, and with M Latif Blessing back for LAFC, it will have the personnel to speed the game up. LAFC scored 53 goals and gave up 51 last season.
Vela was the league’s Golden Boot winner in 2019 and should help the home side produce goals.
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