[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
LAFC (11 wins, 7 draws, 7 losses) welcomes Inter Miami (6-4-14) to BMO Stadium Sunday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Below, we preview BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the LAFC vs. Inter Miami odds, and make our best expert MLS picks and predictions.
LAFC sits 3rd in the Western Conference and is a strong 8-3-2 at home this season. It has scored 39 goals and allowed 27 through 25 matches. In the attack, LAFC is led by F Denis Bouanga, who has scored 12 goals in 23 matches. LAFC has struggled as of late though, losing 4 of its last 8 overall and it is 2-1-1 in its last 4 MLS home matches.
Inter, since welcoming F Lionel Messi, has looked significantly better than they did earlier in the season. He has helped them win the Leagues Cup and make the finals of the U.S. Open Cup. Inter beat the New York Red Bulls 2-0 on Aug. 26 and then drew Nashville SC 0-0 Wednesday. They are 2-1-9 on the road so far this season. They have allowed 36 goals and scored just 24 through 24 matches.
World class soccer coverage all in one place: Get ESPN+
LAFC vs. Inter Miami odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:51 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: LAFC -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Inter Miami +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Draw +280 (bet $100 to win $280)
- Over/Under: 3.5 (O: +125 | U: -175)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
LAFC vs. Inter Miami picks and predictions
Prediction
LAFC 2, Inter Miami 1
Moneyline (ML)
BET LAFC (-110).
Messi got a full 90 minutes on Wednesday against Nashville which suggests he won’t start against LAFC.
While he may play, LAFC, which has been strong at home, should be able to possess and dominate the first 60-plus minutes. LAFC has scored 3-plus goals in 2 of its last 4 games and is playing one of the worst defenses in the MLS. Expect it to get on the board early and often at home.
Miami has been terrible on the road, and if Messi doesn’t impact the game for two-thirds of the action, the team could see a return of its former self. Inter is 2-1-9 on the road. At these odds, take LAFC (-110).
Over/Under (O/U)
LEAN UNDER 3.5 (-175).
The likelihood is high but so are the odds and (-175) is just about the most expensive I would suggest someone to bet on.
Without Messi starting (again, this is an assumption on how many minutes he has logged over the last month), Inter has just 6 shots against the Red Bulls. They did better against Nashville with Messi in the match.
Miami has only allowed 3 or more goals in 3 of 12 road matches as well. LAFC has scored 2 or more goals in just 2 of their last 7 games. Their attack has not dominated as of late. That said, take UNDER 3.5 (-175).
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.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=3296]