Prediction: Los Angeles FC vs Seattle Sounders

Verdict: Under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

Two sides who are desperately seeking some much-needed stability in the early hours of Thursday, Los Angeles will welcome Seattle to the BMO Stadium.

Los Angeles FC

Starting with the hosts, drawing a line under their extended nightmare last weekend, Los Angeles must show that they 2-1 victory away at Sporting Kansas was nothing more than a minor boost. Picking up just their first victory from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions, the Falcons have come under plenty of scrutiny over the past month. Suffering Concaf Champions League heartbreak at the hands of Mexcian outfit Leon on June 4th, Steve Cherundolo’s men are also yet to claim back-to-back wins since the start of May. Likewise, a huge part of LAFC’s extended issues has come down to their rather glaring struggles on home soil. Last seen at the BMO Stadium getting hit with a 1-0 loss against Houston on June 14th, Los Angeles have mustered just a single victory from their previous six showdowns in California.

Team News

All still dealing with extended injury issues, Los Angeles will once again be without the likes of Kellyn Acosta, Sergi Palencia and Maxime Crepeau here. Returning from his own knock earlier in the month, USA international Aaron Long will once again be partnered with Denil Maldonado at the heart of Cherundolo’s defence.

Coming off the bench away at Sporting Kansas last weekend and notching just his second goal since the middle of April, one-time Arsenal starlet Carlos Vela should be handed a full recall in midweek.

Seattle Sounders

As for the visitors, while Seattle might have come flying out of the traps when opening the 2023 campaign, Brian Schmetzer’s men have come crashing back down to earth over the past six weeks. Heading into the international break with what was a stunning 3-3 draw away at Charlotte, the Sounders have now claimed just a single victory from any of their last six straight domestic appearances. Signing off May with a 1-0 defeat at home against San Jose, it should also be noted that the Greens have remarkably recorded just a pair of wins from within 90 minutes since way back on April 22nd. Although Seattle might still find themselves battling it out at the top of the Western Conference standings, they have gained a reputation for their struggles on the road. In fact, Schmetzer’s side have won just one of their last six appearances away from Lumen Field.

Team News

Despite dealing with respective knocks prior to June’s international break, Seattle are hopeful that both Jordan Morris and Ethan Dobbelaere will be able to make a full return to Schmetzer’s squad in midweek.

Bagging a brace against Charlotte last time out and notching four MLS strikes this season, attacking talisman Raul Ruidiaz will spearhead the Sounders’ charge here. Despite settling for back-to-back spots on the bench, 31-year-old Heber could be handed a full return in the early hours of Thursday.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse MLS meeting on March 18th, Los Angeles and Seattle played out a 0-0 stalemate at Lumen Field.
• Picking up a 2-1 win away at Sporting Kansas last weekend, that was the first win that LAFC have collected from their last seven appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, Los Angeles have drawn a blank in each of their last four straight matchups at the BMO Stadium.
• Seattle have recorded just a single win from any of their last six appearances on the road – a run that stems back to April 1st.
• Each of the last six meetings between Thursday’s opponents have finished with under 3.5 goals.

Conclusion

While both Los Angeles and Seattle might still find themselves battling it out at the top of the Western Conference table, Thursday’s opponents are crying out for some much-needed stability. Although LAFC might have drawn a line under their six-match nightmare away at Sporting Kansas over the weekend, the midweek hosts have gained a reputation for their continued issues on home soil. Without a win at the BMO Stadium over the past month, it should also be noted that Los Angeles have failed to muster a single goal in front of their own supporters in over 360 minutes of action. With Thursday’s opponents playing out a 0-0 stalemate when they last met on March 18th, we are backing what could be another nervy affair.

Verdict: Under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Luckster