Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City Prediction, Preview and Odds - 7/4/21
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City
The Major League Soccer brings plenty of interesting games over the weekend, including the highly anticipated Western Conference showdown at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, as the No. 3 Los Angeles Galaxy host the No. 2 Sporting Kansas City.
These two foes meet for the first time since 2019, and their last encounter produced a whopping nine goals in total, so we’re expecting great entertainment Sunday with the kick-off at 10:30 PM ET. Let’s see what the best LA Galaxy vs. Kansas City betting pick along with the latest team stats, news, and odds update.
LA has just won two straight on the road
The Los Angeles Galaxy are coming off an excellent 3-1 victory at San Jose, recording their third win in the last four outings and second in a row away from home. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez scored a brace in another impressive showing and the 33-year-old striker now has ten goals in ten appearances this season.
Hernandez has been unstoppable so far, but the Galaxy will need more from their other players, as only four guys besides Chicharito have found the back of the net this term. At least, the Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney doesn’t have serious injury worries, but defender Derrick Williams is still suspended.
Los Angeles is sitting at the third spot of the Western Conference standings with 21 points (W7, L3) and a 17:15 goal difference. The Galaxy have won four of their five home games in 2021, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Seattle in their previous outings at home. That was LA’s lone loss over the last nine home contests dating back to the 2020 season.
The Wizards hope to maintain the momentum
Sporting Kansas City has won two straight games, outlasting Colorado 3-1 and Los Angeles FC 2-1 at home to keep the pace with the best team in the MLS Western Conference, the Seattle Sounders. The Wizards hold the second spot with 23 points (W7, D2, L3) and a 22:15 goal difference.
They’ve won three of their previous five games overall, but the Wizards have dropped three of their last four contests on the road, suffering losses at Portland 2-1, Houston 1-0, and Real Salt Lake 3-1.
Kansas City is coming off a 2-1 win to LAFC this past Saturday, overcoming a halftime deficit with a couple of goals from Daniel Salloi and Alan Pulido. Solloi leads the way for Sporting this season, accounting for seven goals and four assists in 12 appearances, while Pulido has six goals in 11 outings. The Wizards lead the MLS in goals per 90 minutes (1.83), shots on target (67), and passes completed (5611).
Pick: Draw
This game should be a joy to watch, as both LA Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City have played very well so far this season. The bookies cannot separate them, so both teams sit at +150 to win, while a draw pays +275.
LA hasn’t drawn through ten games this season. On the other side, Kansas City has recorded only one stalemate in its previous ten games overall. Frankly, this clash could easily go three-way, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Galaxy finally record a draw.
Both teams love to keep the ball in possession and built their scoring opportunities. LA’s pass completion percentage is the fifth-best in the MLS (84.0%), and the hosts certainly have enough firepower to compete with Kansas City’s prolific offense.
Total: Both Teams to Score YES & Over 2.5 Goals
Betting on both teams to score should be a slam dunk here, considering the teams’ current form. Javier Hernandez has been spectacular so far, and Kansas City has conceded at least a goal in six straight outings.
On the other side, Los Angeles kept its net intact just once in its previous five contests. The Galaxy’s last three games produced goals on both sides and three or more in total, as well as five of Kansas City’s last six contests overall. The odds on BTTS YES are not tempting, so consider betting on a combo.
