Austin FC vs. LA Galaxy Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 9/25/21
Austin FC vs. LA Galaxy
Austin FC and LA Galaxy lock horns Sunday, September 26, 2021, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, to wrap up another thrilling weekend in Major League Soccer, so we have prepared the best betting pick and tips for this Western Conference showdown. The Oak Army meet the Galaxy for the second time this season, opening as slight home favorites, while Los Angeles beat Austin 2-0 on May 15 as a +105 home fave.
Austin FC is on a free fall
The Oak Army have dropped eight of their last nine games overall along with a lone 3-1 home victory over the Portland Timbers in August. They are riding a five-game losing streak following a 4-3 home defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes this past Saturday, as the Oak Army blew a 3-1 lead from halftime.
It was Austin’s third consecutive defeat at home stadium. During that span, Josh Wolff’s boys have scored seven goals while surrendering a whopping 11 in a return. Austin FC is laying bottom of the Western Conference with just 19 points from 25 games (W5, D4, L16) and a 25:40 goal difference.
Wingers Cecilio Dominguez and Diego Fagundez are leading the way for Austin, combining for 11 goals and five assists. Forward Sebastian Driussi has accounted for three goals and three assists in just nine games since joining the team in July, while midfielder Alexander Ring has added four goals in 23 appearances so far this season.
Los Angeles is winless in six straight outings
The Los Angeles Galaxy are coming off a heavy 3-0 defeat at Minnesota last Saturday. They kept the ball in possession for 65 percent of the time but took only eight shots in total and a couple of those went on target.
It was LA’s third loss in its last six games overall. The Galaxy are winless in that span, recording three draws against Houston 1-1, Colorado 1-1, and LAFC 3-3. They are sitting at the fourth spot of the Western Conference table with 38 points from 25 contests (W11, D5, L9) and a 37:40 goal difference, five points ahead of the No. 8 seed.
Striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez leads the way for the Galaxy with 11 goals in 13 appearances this season. He’s missed some time with a calf injury, returning on September 11 and scoring once over the previous three matchdays. Midfielder Rayan Raveloson and winger Kevin Cabral have combined for nine goals thus far, while right-back Julian Araujo has added five assists.
The Pick:Los Angeles Galaxy to Win
The hosts have nothing to play for, so I’m not sure why they’re listed as favorites to win. Both teams have been poor as of late, and Austin FC has been just terrible, so I’ll take the risk and go with the visitors to earn three points at +175.
Austin FC’s defense has been awful in the past five outings, surrendering 16 goals in total. Los Angeles is struggling on the defensive end as well, conceding 12 goals over the previous six contests overall, but the Galaxy’s offense should make the difference in this matchup.
TotalOver 3.0 Goals
I’ve mentioned how bad these two teams have been lately, especially on the defensive end, allowing their opponents to score a bunch of goals. Hereof, the only way to go is with the Over 3.0 Goals at +100 odds.
Austin’s last seven games produced at least three goals in total. On the other side, ten of Los Angeles’ 12 games on the road this season saw three or more goals on the scoreboard. I would be surprised if one of these two teams keeps its net intact Sunday.