It’s been a pretty phenomenal year for Los Angeles FC. MLS’s newest expansion team began play this year, and they have surpassed all expectations. Many considered them a longshot to make the postseason, and the most common preseason prediction in the loaded Western Conference was ninth place. However, they have already locked up a spot in the postseason and are currently tied with Sporting Kansas City for second place with 53 points. Now, LAFC have their sights set on a first-round bye, and they are out to grab all three points against the Houston Dynamo this week.
Don't miss the Major League Soccer action from Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, October 12, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN Plus and YouTube.
MLS Betting at BookMaker.eu
Houston Dynamo +422
Los Angeles FC -178
Draw +358
Over/Under 3 and 3.5
Odds Analysis
The Houston Dynamo are simply playing for pride at this point. The Dynamo are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference, and they have been eliminated from playoff contention. They have been awful on the road this year, posting a 1-9-5 mark in 15 road games, but they have proven they can come up big at times this year. Houston knocked off Sporting KC, LAFC, and the Philadelphia Union to win the U.S. Open Cup back in September.
Los Angeles FC have been great at home this season. LAFC have dropped just one of their 15 home games to this point and boast a record of 8-1-6 in Banc of California Stadium. They have the best attack in the Western Conference in terms of goals per game, and they are averaging nearly two goals a match. LAFC are 5-1-2 in their last eight matches.
Key Absences
There are four players that will miss this match on the side of Houston. The Dynamo will be without defender Philippe Senderos and midfielder Eric Alexander, as both players are dealing with hamstring injuries. They also won’t have defender Jared Watts or forward Mac Steeves in the lineup with both players suffering from hip issues.
As for Los Angeles FC, goalkeeper Quillan Roberts remains out as he continues to recover from a fractured leg. Forward Latif Blessing is sidelined due to a strained hip flexor, and midfielder Eduard Atuesta is out with a concussion. Midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye has been out since July with a season-ending ankle injury.
Matchup to Watch
The most impressive thing about LAFC’s attack is how diverse it is. Rather than rely on one player to do all their scoring like so many teams in the MLS do, it’s truly a group effort with this club. Carlos Vela, Adama Diomande, and Diego Rossi have formed an impressive trio this season, and all three players have at least 10 goals.
That has made it hard for opposing defenses to stop them. There is not one player to focus defensive efforts on, so you have to stop the attack as a whole in order to succeed. Houston’s defense has been a bit shaky, especially on the road, and it will have a tough time here.
MLS Prop Bet – Los Angeles FC to win both halves +191
There is the question of motivation for Houston coming into this game. The team only has a few more games left in the season, and they have already won a trophy so it would be easy to rest on their laurels. Additionally, they will only have three days rest coming into this match after losing to Seattle 4-1 on Monday night.
This is a bit of a gamble rather than just laying multiple goals with LAFC, but this team has shown a tendency to start and finish strong.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
I have the feeling this match will be a rout. LAFC have a lot to play for, are playing at home, and they have had more rest than Houston. That’s typically a deadly combination.
Major League Soccer Odds: Los Angeles FC 4, Houston Dynamo 0
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