LAFC (16 wins, 4 losses, 3 draws) welcomes Charlotte FC (9-13-2) to Banc of California Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the LAFC vs. Charlotte FC odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
LAFC is the best team in the MLS and are 6 points ahead of the second-place Austin FC. With the midseason addition of European stars F Gareth Bale and D Giorgio Chiellini, LAFC has gotten that much stronger.
LAFC is led in scoring by star F Cristian Arango, who has 11 goals, but the offense is typically run through F Carlos Vela, who has 7 goals and 7 assists on the season.
As for Charlotte FC, they’ll be faced with a tough task, traveling out West to take on a surging LAFC. Charlotte has fallen outside of playoff position and is just 1-9-2 on the road this season.
In its first season in the MLS, Charlotte has actually impressed, having won 8 of 12 at home. It is led by FKarol Świderski, who has 7 goals on the season, his first in the MLS.
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LAFC vs. Charlotte FC 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 at 1 p.m. ET.
- Money line: LAFC -270 (bet $270 to win $100) | Charlotte FC +430 (bet $100 to win $430) | Draw +670
- Over/Under: 3.5 (O: +120 | U: -150)
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Prediction
LAFC 3, Charlotte FC 1
Money line (ML)
AVOID.
LAFC is just too good to bet against, and Charlotte has been awful on the road.
Betting a -270 favorite, especially in soccer, just isn’t typically a smart play. LAFC has won 5 straight and 7 of its last 8. It has also won 5 straight at home.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET OVER 3.5 (+120).
LAFC has the most clinical attack in the MLS, and Vela showed that as he scored the first goal within the first 5 minutes of the MLS All-Star Game in Minneapolis Wednesday.
LAFC has scored at least 2 goals in 5 straight games and has topped 2 in 2 of its last 5. The home side has topped 3.5 goals in 2 of their last 3 games at Banc of California Stadium.
As for Charlotte, it has had some success on the road. While the results haven’t necessarily been there, it has scored in 6 of its last 7 road matches and has scored at least 2 in 2 of its last 3. Charlotte FC’s last 2 road matches have gone over this total.
Put it all together, and considering how good LAFC is, I’d bet on a goal-fest Saturday evening.
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