Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 11/5
Bookmaker: 888sport
Over at the BC Place in Vancouver, the Whitecaps are set to play host to Los Angeles with the two teams competing in the Western Conference of the American Major League Soccer. It will be the 18th match of the season for both sides, but their respective positions in the table are far apart.
Vancouver Whitecaps
The Whitecaps finished sixth in the conference in 2021, but at the moment, they sit in 11th place in a 14-team system, which obviously isn’t great. On the other hand, Minnesota United and Houston Dynamo who are directly above are on the same number of points (21), Portland Timbers in eighth place have one more, Seattle Sounders in seventh have two more, and LA Galaxy in sixth have only three more. It’s obvious that the Whitecaps could improve their position rather quickly, but they need keep focus and deliver results for that to happen.
The last six matches in the MLS saw Vanni Sartini’s team win three times, draw once and lose twice. It started with a 2-1 defeat away to Charlotte FC, then came a 0-1 win away to Sporting KC, a 2-1 home win over Real Salt Lake, a 4-0 defeat away to Seattle, a 0-2 triumph in Dallas, and a goalless draw at home against New England Revolution.
The Whitecaps have also booked a place in the Canadian Championship final after beating York United in the semis, and they will face Toronto FC on July 27th in a direct contest for the trophy.
Team News
Defenders Erik Godoy and Christian Guttierez are big doubts for this clash due to calf problems. The same goes for defender Jake Nerwinski (eye), goalkeeper Thomas Hasal (hand) and midfielder Michael Baldisimo (recently suffered concussion).
Meanwhile, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter has been ruled out with a foot injury.
Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles FC are maintaining their fine form at the moment, and that’s the main reason why they’re still at the top of the conference table in relative comfort. With 36 points to their name, they have a five-point cushion over Austin FC in second place, the last team to have inflicted defeat upon them in the league.
That defeat, 2-1 away, started LA’s last-six run when it comes to league matches. After that, Steve Cherundolo’s men beat Columbus Crew 0-2 away, beat San Jose Earthquakes at home by 3-2, drew 1-1 in Seattle, beat New York Red Bulls at home by 2-1, and beat Dallas at home by 3-1.
Between the Columbus and San Jose games, LA faced city rivals Galaxy in the round of 16 of the U.S. Open Cup and were beaten 3-1 at the Dignity Health Sports Park.
Team News
Newcomers Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale still won’t be able to feature, even though their contracts with Juventus and Real Madrid, respectively, have now expired and they are officially LA FC players.
Cherundolo also has to make do without right-backs Erik Duenas (knee) and Julian Gaines (pelvis), goalkeeper Tomas Romero (health and safety protocols) and possibly forward Ismael Tajouri (thigh).
Conclusion
With both teams strongly motivated, keen to achieve their respective goals, the contest is likely to a fierce one, and a high-scoring draw is at least as likely result as any to happen on Sunday.
Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 11/5
Bookmaker: 888sport
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