- LAFC leads MLS in wins (14), points (45), and goal differential (+20)
- LAFC has scored at least two goals in seven of their last nine games.
- Seattle has been shutout in three of their last four games.
LAFC has a four-point lead atop the Western Conference thanks to a three-game win streak in which they have outscored the opposition 7-3. The Black and Gold have suffered just one loss in the last nine games, with seven wins in that span.
Seattle won 2-1 last week to stop a three-game slide but they have just one road win since May 18. The Sounders are outside the playoff zone right now, one point behind the LA Galaxy.
Seattle won on the road against LAFC only in the 2019 MLS Cup Western Conference Finals. Last year LAFC won at home 3-0 and the teams drew 1-1 in Seattle on June 18.
LAFC v. Seattle Sounders Odds
Looking at the LAFC vs, Seattle Sounders FC Odds, the hosts are pretty heavy favorites at home with a -195 money line.
They are the biggest favorites in any of the MLS odds this weekend. Seattle is +475 to pull off an upset and take all three points back to the Pacific Northwest.
A draw is +320 and the total goal is 3. The over is +120 and the under is -155. If you are learning how to bet soccer, you can go on the two-way bet as well with LAFC at -450 Draw No Bet and Seattle at +330.
LAFC is -240 to score the first goal and Seattle is +180. Both teams to score is -150 Yes and +120 no with a 0-0 game at +1300.
Cristian Arango and Carlos Vela are +130 for an anytime goal while Gareth Bale is +170. Seattle’s top goal-scoring bet is Jordan Morris at +300 while Nicolas Lodeiro is +350.
Matchup Information
- Competition: LAFC v. Seattle Sounders matchweek 22
- Location: Banc of California Stadium
- Time: Friday, July 29, 2022. 11:00 p.m. EDT
- How to Watch: FS1, FOX Deportes
LAFC Analysis
LAFC have won three matches in a row and they have successfully implemented new European stars Giorgio Chiellini and Garth Bale into the lineup without issue. Bale has yet to start a game but he scored at Sporting KC last weekend as a sub.
The atmosphere at Banc of California Stadium will be intense as Bale makes his home debut on Friday night, either as a starter or a sub.
Home has been kind to LAFC with 26 points from 11 games. Their only home loss was on May 18 and they have won or tied the other 10 matches. LAFC beat LA Galaxy 3-2 in that stretch and have scored 11 goals in their last four home games, all wins.
Manager Steve Cherundolo plays a 4-3-3- formation. Carlos Vela, Crisitian Arango and Kwadwo Opoku typically start in attack and if Bale starts, it will likely be for Opoku.
LAFC Lineup Breakdown
Kellyn Acosta, Ilie Sanchez, and Jose Cifuntes are the usual starters in midfield, but Acosta will be suspended on yellow cards for the Seattle game. Brian Rodriguez is questionable with injury and Latif Blessing is another option in the front six.
Chiellini, Jesus Murillo, Diego Palacios and Franco Escobar started against Sporting in the back line. Eddie Segura and Ryan Hollingshead finished the game, replacing Chiellini and Escobar respectively.
The defense has been better than expected for LAFC this season, with zero or one goal allowed in five of the last six games.
LAFC’s Defense
Maxime Crepeau has started all but one MLS game for LAFC. He has six clean sheets with 42 saves and 20 goals allowed.
He has five career starts against Seattle, four with Vancouver, allowing seven goals and posting one shutout.
Arango leads LAFC with nine goals and he scored against Sporting in the first half last weekend. Vela has six goals and seven assists while Cifuentes has six goals and four assists. Vela has played well in his career against Seattle with three career goals while Arango and Blessing have two each.
Seattle Sounders Analysis
The Sounders desperately needed a win last weekend and despite going down to 10 men, they rallied for a 2-1 win.
Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro scored the goals and with Raul Ruidiaz hurting, those two are carrying the offense. There is a chance the former MVP returns for this game, but his minutes will likely be limited.
Brian Schmetzer will have to change his starting lineup on Friday as defender Kelyn Rowe is out with a red card suspension.
Sounders Lineup Breakdown
The Sounders like to line up in a 4-2-3-1 with either Ruidiaz or Will Bruin up top. Lodeiro, Morris, and Jimmy Medranda are likely starters in attack, with Cristian Roldan and Albert Rusnak filling out the midfield.
- Alex Roldan
- Yeimar
- Xavier Arreaga
Will likely start in defense. With Rowe out, look for Jackson Ragen to start if they stay with four backs or they could go with three at the back and play Ethan Dobbelaere or Fredy Montero in a five-man midfield. Stefan Frei will start in goal.
The veteran has 15 starts on the season with 19 goals allowed and 42 saves. He does have three shutouts, but only one on the road. Frei has 13 starts in his career against LAFC, allowing 22 goals and providing just one clean sheet.
Morris has six goals to lead the team while Cristian Roldan and Lodeiro both have four assists. Lodeiro also has four goals, three from the spot.
Ruidiaz has provided five goals in just 645 MLS minutes this season but he has been injury plagued with less than 90 minutes played in the last six weeks.
MLS Stats
Looking at the MLS stats, Lodeiro and Ruidiaz both have five career goals against LAFC while Morris has four.
Getting Morris on breakaways is the best chance Seattle will have to score in this game, especially if Ruidiaz is unavailable.
LAFC v. Seattle Sounders Pick and Prediction
It is hard to imagine LAFC losing this game and looking at the MLS odds, the books feel the same way. Arango has scored seven goals in his last eight games so the Sounders will have their hands full with him, Bale, and Vela, especially without Rowe.
It is imperative for Seattle to score first if they are going to get anything positive in what is likely to be a hostile environment.
Soccer Pick: LAFC (-240)
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