LA Galaxy (9 wins, 11 losses, 3 draws) welcomes the Vancouver Whitecaps (8-10-6) to Dignity Health Sports Park Saturday. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the LA Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
The Galaxy, after starting off the season on the right foot, have hit a cold streak in which they’ve dropped out of playoff position. LA has lost 5 of its last 6, a brutal stretch in which its most recent loss was a 4-2 defeat to the last-place Sporting KC.
The Galaxy are only 3 points out of playoff position and are led by star F Javier Hernandez, who has 9 goals on the season.
As for Vancouver, it is tied with LA, both sitting in 9th place with 30 points. Vancouver has been more disappointing, mainly due to its -12 goals differential, having allowed 39 on the season.
They are just 2-7-3 on the road this season. The Whitecaps are led in scoring by F Lucas Cavallini, who has 8 goals with no other player topping 3. They have lost just 3 of their last 12.
World class soccer coverage all in one place: Get ESPN+
LA Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps odds, lines, 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 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: LA Galaxy -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Vancouver Whitecaps +420 (bet $100 to win $420) | Draw +350
- Over/Under: 3.5 (O: +133 | U: -170)
[tipico]
Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.
Prediction
LA Galaxy 3, Vancouver Whitecaps 1
Money line (ML)
AVOID.
The Galaxy have been cold as of late, but the Whitecaps have been equally as bad on the road. If there is a value here, I wouldn’t hate betting TIE OR WHITECAPS FC +122.
At the same time, I see this being a high-scoring match and would rather go to the total as the odds are just more favorable.
Vancouver hasn’t lost in 4 straight road matches but did lose its first 6 straight on the road. While that recent stretch is positive, the Whitecaps have had as many or fewer expected goals in all 4.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET OVER 3.5 (+133).
The Galaxy’s home games have been high-scoring affairs recently. They have gone over this total in 4 of their last 6 and in 3 of their last 4.
They’ve had at least 2 expected goals in all 4 while their opponent has had at least 1 in each of the 4. So their offense has been cooking while their defense has been lacking.
The Whitecaps’ awful defense helps the cause as well, allowing 1.63 goals per game. Vancouver has gone over this total in 2 of its last 5 road matches as well.
This is my favorite bet of the game as the Galaxy should be able to abuse a weak Whitecaps backline.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=3296]