Prediction: Seattle Sounders vs Los Angeles FC

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Hoping to find a route to the top of the Western Conference table, Los Angeles will travel to Lumen Field when they meet Seattle in the early hours of Sunday.

Seattle Sounders

Starting with the hosts, while Seattle might have opened up the 2024 campaign in the midst of a real struggle, the Sounders have come roaring back in a sensational fashion. Putting in another eye-catching performance earlier in the week as they secured a routine 2-0 victory against St. Louis, Brian Schmetzer’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Extending on their US Open Cup adventure on July 10th as they claimed a 2-1 win away at USL outfit Sacramento Republic, the Washington-based outfit are riding quite the wave of momentum. Signing off June with a 2-1 victory against Chicago Seattle have now won all of their previous six domestic appearances across all competitions. With that extended purple patch stemming back to a 2-2 stalemate against Houston on June 20th, Schmetzer’s side will be looking to make another statement here.

Team News

Heading into Sunday’s showdown from Lumen Field, Seattle have reported a clean bill of health and have no injury concerns or suspensions to worry about. Returning from Jamaica’s Copa America adventure earlier in the month, 26-year-old Jon Bell will once again partner Jackson Ragen at the heart of Schmetzer’s defence here.

Enjoying what has become a real free-scoring run and notching nine goals in his previous 12 appearances across all competitions, ex-Swansea striker Jordan Morris will spearhead Seattle’s attack this weekend.

Los Angeles FC

As for the visitors, while Los Angeles might still find themselves tipped as a leading contender to get claim the Western Conference title this season, the Falcons are seeking a recent boost. Left disappointed earlier in the week as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Real Salt Lake, Steve Cherundolo’s men will be looking to bounce back from their minor blip. Nevertheless, despite slumping to an infamous 5-1 drumming at the hands of Columbus on July 14th, that is the only MLS defeat that the California-based outfit have suffered since the start of May. Likewise, landing a 2-1 victory when they last met Seattle back on February 24th, Cherundolo’s side will be excited by a stellar record against Sunday’s hosts. In fact, along with winning all of their last three meetings by an aggregate score of 4-1, they are also unbeaten in all of their previous seven battles across all competitions.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term injury issue and not making a single appearance so far this season, former Juventus youngster Lorenzo Dellavalle remains on the sidelines and will not feature here. Likewise, shown a straight red card against Columbus on July 14th, Colombia international Jesus Murillo is still sidelines through suspension and will not travel to Lumen Field.

However, serving his own one-match ban against Real Salt Lake earlier in the week, one-time Barcelona starlet Sergi Palencia could be handed a full recall. Claiming a Copa America bronze medal with Uruguay last weekend, 22-year-old Cristian Olivera will spearhead LAFC’s charge in Washington.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Seattle and Los Angeles last met back on February 24th, the Falcons collected a 2-1 win at the BMO Stadium.
• In fact, LAFC have won all of their previous three matchups against Sunday’s hosts by an aggregate score of 4-1.
• Seattle have won all of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
• The Falcons have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their last eight outings across all formats.
• Los Angeles have seen seven of their previous eight domestic matchups finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While Los Angeles might have their sights set on climbing to the top of the Western Conference here, the Falcons will certainly face a major challenge in the early hours of Sunday. With Seattle now in the midst of a six-match winning run across all competitions, the Sounders are enjoying quite the purple patch. With LAFC seeing seven of their last eight appearances finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome at Lumen Field.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet