Prediction: Los Angeles vs Vancouver Whitecaps

Verdict: Los Angeles & both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Unibet

Glad to make a return to the Banc of California Stadium this weekend, Los Angeles will host the Vancouver Whitecaps in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Los Angeles

Starting with the hosts, while Los Angeles might have impressed many across the MLS when opening July, The Black and Gold came crashing back down to earth earlier in the week. Despite putting in what was another eye-catching display and dominating large spells of the game in the early hours of Thursday, the Western Conference outfit were hit with a hard-fought 2-1 defeat away at Portland. Watching their three-match winning run come to an abrupt end on their travels, Head Coach Bob Bradley finds his squad tipped as another leading contender to clinch another Final Series spot. Glad to make a return to home soil this weekend, there is no doubt that Los Angeles should be boosted by their continued displays at the Banc of California Stadium. Last seen on home soil picking up a 2-1 victory against Real Salt Lake, the former USA boss has seen his side lose just one of their opening seven home fixtures so far this season.

Team News

After picking up a knee injury back in May, striker Kwadwo Opoku will once again be missing this weekend.

Aside from the missing Opoku on Sunday, Head Coach Bob Bradley has a full-strength squad to choose from on home soil.

Vancouver Whitecaps

As for the visitors, although Vancouver might have managed to shock many across the MLS with their 2-1 victory against LA Galaxy on July 18th, they failed to keep up that momentum in midweek. Eventually having to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Houston Dynamo on home soil, The Whitecaps still find themselves battling it out at the foot of the Western Conference. Once again tipped as another outside pick to try and clinch a Final Series spot this season, Head Coach Marc Dos Santos has seen his side largely struggle to build off of their impressive opening run. Including a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Real Salt Lake on home soil earlier in the month, Sunday’s guests have won just one of their previous 10 MLS matchups, a run that stems back to the start of May. It should also be noted, despite picking up back-to-back points on the road, Vancouver have failed to pick up a single victory away from BC Place since opening the 2021 campaign.

Team News

Enduring what has been a nightmare since moving to the MLS, Sporting Lisbon loanee Bruno Gaspar looks set to once again miss out this weekend.

The defensive duo of Javain Brown and Erik Godoy could be in line for a recall.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off last season, Vancouver picked up a 2-1 victory at BC Place.
• However, the last time they made the trip to the Banc of California Stadium, they were hit with a 6-0 drumming.
• Los Angeles have lost just one of their seven MLS home fixtures since opening the 2021 campaign.
• Likewise, The Whitecaps are yet to record a single away victory so far this season.
• Five of Los Angeles’ last six MLS matchups on home soil have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While Los Angeles might have seen their three-match winning run come to an abrupt end earlier in the week, Bob Bradley’s side should be smelling a golden chance in the early hours of Sunday morning. Glad to make a return to the Banc of California Stadium this weekend, The Black and Gold’s have continued to shine on home soil and an inconsistent Vancouver should face another stern test on the road. Failing to build off of their shock victory against LA Galaxy last weekend and having to settle for a sluggish point against Houston in midweek, The Whitecaps have only shown a host of issues away from BC Place. Suffering 6-0 and 6-1 defeats the last time they made the trip to Los Angeles, we’re backing a similar home victory here.

Verdict: Los Angeles & both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Unibet