LA Galaxy vs. FC Dallas Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 10/23/21
Los Angeles will be looking to solidify its spot in the Western Conference playoffs when it faces Dallas on Saturday night. FC Dallas is trying to avoid finishing in last place in the table and is already out of the playoff hunt. The Galaxy are now in fifth place following their 3-0 win over Houston on Wednesday.
Dallas hasn't won since August
FC Dallas has not won a match since the end of August, when it picked up a 5-3 win at Austin. Ironically, that is the only team below Dallas in the Western Conference standings. Austin has tallied 25 points, while Dallas has 28. Dallas has lost five matches and played to three draws in its last eight contests. Its most recent match came against the other team from Los Angeles, as LAFC notched a 3-2 win in Texas on Wednesday. Ryan Hollingshead put Dallas ahead with a goal 10 minutes into the match, but LAFC equalized on a penalty kick 23 minutes later. Franco Jara gave Dallas its second lead right before the half.
LAFC tied the contest once again 75 minutes into the contest and then netted the game-winner four minutes later. Cristian Arango had a hat trick for LAFC in the 3-2 win that officially eliminated Dallas from playoff contention. Dallas had not played since Oct. 2, so it does not have a ton of experience under its belt in the month of October. The club is playing under interim coach Marco Ferruzzi, who took over on Sept. 19. They have allowed a league-high nine penalties and are going to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
LA Galaxy dominates Houston
Los Angeles has gone unbeaten in its last three matches since going through a three-match skid at the end of September. The Galaxy tied with LAFC on Oct. 3 before notching a 2-1 win over Portland last Saturday. They followed last week’s win with a 3-0 win against Houston on Wednesday. Sacha Kljestan opened the scoring with a penalty kick 39 minutes into the match. Los Angeles added an own goal in stoppage time of the first half to take a 2-0 lead. The Galaxy added insurance two minutes into the second half when Kevin Cabral found the back of the net.
It was their first road win in their last six tries and it ended a three-match losing streak away from home. Los Angeles held 53% of the possession and had five shots on target. The Galaxy are now in fifth place in the Western Conference, sitting one point behind Portland for fourth. They are only three points ahead of Real Salt Lake, though, who is currently outside of the playoff picture. Los Angeles has been a solid attacking team this season, recording 44 goals. Its defense has not been great, though, allowing 46 goals in 30 matches.
Spread (Los Angeles -130)
This is a very cheap price for a Los Angeles team that desperately needs to win this match. The Galaxy have a challenging schedule ahead of them, so they need to take advantage of this opportunity to get all three points. Dallas has struggled to hold onto leads lately, which has shown in its recent results. It has not picked up a win since August, so I am thrilled to fade them at a cheap number. Los Angeles comes into this match with some momentum after winning its last two contests.
Total (Over 3)
Dallas has not been winning any matches, but it has scored at least two goals in three of its last six matches. Its inability to close out wins makes them a good team to fade in the match, but it also helps a bet on the over. Los Angeles has scored in its last four contests, including five goals in its last two matches. The Galaxy have been solid on the attacking end of the pitch, but their defense has been leaky. Those factors work perfectly for a bet on the over in this match.