Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake Predictions, Preview, and Odds -7/17/21
For the second time in two weeks, Los Angeles FC meets Real Salt Lake in the MLS Western Conference showdown, as the Black and Gold host the Claret-and-Cobalt at Bank of California Stadium in LA on Saturday, July 17.
LAFC narrowly defeated Salt Lake 1-0 on July 3, satisfying the odds as +105 road favorites. It was the Black and Gold’s second straight win over the Claret-and-Cobalt, so let’s see if the hosts are capable of extending their streak. Los Angeles FC has won five of its previous six contests against Real Salt Lake along with one defeat at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.
The Black and Gold aim for their third win in a row
After that 1-0 road win over Salt Lake, Los Angeles FC visited Austin FC this past Wednesday and earned a well-deserved 2-0 victory as slight +130 favorites. It was the Black and Golden’s second win on the spin, as they improved to 18 points on the season (W5, D3, L4) and kept the fifth spot in the Western Conference, two points ahead of their next rivals.
Both Jose Cifuentes and Diego Rossi found the back of the net at Austin FC, so they have four goals this campaign each. Carlos Vela is the team’s top assist-maker with four dishes, but the 32-year-old forward has scored just once in nine appearances this season.
LAFC is 21st in the MLS in pass completion (79.6%), and Bob Bradley’s boys are keeping the ball in possession for just 37.7 percent of the time on average. They prefer to play more directly and are tied sixth for the most shots on target in the majors with 58.
The Claret-and-Cobalt bounced back with a huge win at Vancouver
Real Salt Lake thrashed off the Vancouver Whitecaps this past Wednesday, 4-0, playing as -115 road favorites. It was a nice bounce-back performance following a narrow defeat to LAFC, as the Claret-and-Cobalt took 18 shots towards Vancouver’s goalie (eight on target), building a two-goal lead by the end of the first half.
Damir Kreilach scored a brace at the Whitecaps and the 32-year-old midfielder now has seven goals and three assists on his tally. Striker Rubio Rubin also has three dishes along with four goals in 11 appearances, while full-back Aaron Herrera has recorded four assists in just nine games.
Salt Lake sits at the sixth spot of the Western Conference standings with 16 points (W4, D4, L3) and an 18:12 goal difference. The Claret-and-Cobalt have recorded a couple of wins and losses along with one draw over their previous five games overall.
The Winner Prediction
Two weeks ago, LAFC converted its lone shot on target to outlast the Claret-and-Cobalt who took four shots on target and 14 in total. Real Salt Lake also kept the ball in possession for 58 percent of the time, though I assume the visitors didn’t care a lot about it.
I’m expecting a similar scenario in this one. Both teams have been playing in a solid form lately, and I think LAFC will barely escape with a win (1-0 or 2-1). The Black and Gold own some top-notch players upfront and are very dangerous through counter-attacking.
The Pick: Los Angeles FC to Win
The Total Prediction
Both teams missed a lot of scoring opportunities in their previous H2H duel, especially the Claret-and-Cobalt who’ll be fired up to grab a goal in this clash. Salt Lake blew a few huge opportunities in front of the home fans, but they showed some excellent attacking moves.
Therefore, I’m looking for the visitors to score Saturday, so give me the over. All four of Salt Lake’s road contests in 2021 produced more than a couple of goals in total, while LAFC has conceded in each but one of its previous five outings at home. Also, five of the last seven meetings between Real and LAFC went over a 2.5-goal line.
The Pick: Over 2.5 Goals
