The Colorado Rapids (3 wins, 4 losses, 3 draws) will welcome LAFC (7-1-2) to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday. Below, we preview the Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
LAFC has been hot lately and are the top team in the Western Conference, having won 6 of its last 8. It has been even better on the road this season, winning 3 of its 4 road matches.
LAFC is led by F Carlos Vela, who has 4 goals on the season, while 5 teammates also have multiple goals. However, LAFC is also led by a thriving defense, which has allowed just 10 goals in 10 games.
As for Colorado, the Rapids have been relatively disappointing. They have lost 3 of their last 5 matches. They had the second-best defense in the West a season ago but rank 7th this season, having allowed 12 goals.
They’re led in scoring by Chilean F Diego Rubio, who has 5 goals and an assist. He’ll celebrate his 29the birthday Sunday.
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Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC 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 3:33 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Colorado Rapids +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | LAFC +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Draw +240
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
[tipico]
Prediction
LAFC 2, Rapids 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN LAFC (+170).
Getting the best team in the MLS at this value is always a solid play. After all, LAFC is averaging more points on the road than at home, so it’s a proven and capable away opponent.
LAFC’s lone road loss this season was to the LA Galaxy, a formidable rival.
Colorado is coming off a 1-0 loss to San Jose last Saturday and a mid-week 2-1 loss to Minnesota United in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Thursday. LAFC is undefeated at home, however.
Colorado’s confidence isn’t likely high following those 2 losses. The opposite can be said about LAFC, which has outscored opponents 9-5 on the road.
Considering the value on LAFC and the dominance of the Vela-backed offense along with a sturdy defense, I’ll take the road side here.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET the OVER 2.5 (-130).
LAFC is a scoring machine, and its defense has taken a step back as of late as well. LAFC has allowed 9 goals in the last 7 matches, having allowed just 1 through its first 3.
LAFC has gone Over 2.5 goals in 6 of its last 7 matches. The opposite is typically true for the Rapids, who have gone Over 2.5 goals in 4 of their 10 matches this season, including in 2 of its last 5.
With Vela, who won the MLS Golden Boot in 2019 active and playing at a high level, expect LAFC to break down the Rapids defense. With that and the trends backing the Over, it’s my favorite play in the game.
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