Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 11/1/21

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Seattle Sounders vs. Los Angeles Galaxy

The MLS betting action goes on Monday night with the marquee Western Conference showdown at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Sounders meet the Los Angeles Galaxy for the third time this season, opening as -110 favorites to earn three points. Back in May, Seattle beat LA 3-0 at Lumen Field, while on June 19, 2021, the Sounders outlasted the Galaxy 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park as small road underdogs.

The Sounders are winless in four straight outings

Seattle has struggled mightily over the last few weeks, earning just a point from its previous four games overall. After a 2-1 defeat at Houston and a 1-1 draw at Colorado, the Sounders have suffered a couple of defeats to Sporting Kansas City 2-1 and at Los Angeles FC 3-0.

The 31-year-old striker Raul Ruidiaz hasn’t been available in the last six games due to a muscle injury, and the Sounders desperately need their top goalscorer back. Ruidiaz has bagged 16 goals in 25 appearances so far this season. He should return to the starting lineup Monday against the Galaxy.

The Sounders lost the No. 1 seed in the West, and the No. 3 Colorado Rapids are only three points behind them. Seattle is tied with Kansas City for 58 points, but Sporting has a slightly better goal difference and a game in hand.

The Galaxy desperately need a positive result

The playoff race in the West is a mess, and the Los Angeles Galaxy will have a tall task to reach the postseason. They are currently sitting at the sixth spot with 46 points from 32 games (W13, D7, L12) and a 46:50 goal difference, one point ahead of Minnesota and Real Salt Lake.

While Real has a game in hand, LAFC is just a couple of points behind the Galaxy, who desperately need to get something from Monday’s clash. Greg Vanney’s boys are winless in their previous two outings, earning a 2-2 draw against Dallas at home and losing 2-0 at Kansas City.

Javier Chicharito Hernandez hit a brace against the Torros, and LA hopes he’ll be ready to face Seattle after missing the previous clash against Sporting. Hernandez has scored 14 goals in 19 appearances this season, while right-back Julian Araujo and midfielder Victor Vazquez have accounted for five assists each.

Pick: Double Chance X2

Seattle has owned Los Angeles as of late, winning four of their previous five encounters along with one draw. Also, the Sounders have won three straight home games against the Galaxy, while LA is winless at Seattle in five consecutive visits.

If you like to ride the betting trends, go with the Sounders, but I would avoid a side bet in this matchup. The Sounders have already clinched the playoff spot, though they are still fighting for the first-round bye. On the other side, the visitors cannot afford a loss, and LA certainly possesses enough quality to keep it close and eventually escape with a draw.

Total: Both Teams to Score YES

If they want to avoid a loss at Lumen Field, the visitors will probably have to find the back of the net. The Galaxy have allowed nine goals over their previous five outings on the road, so it would be a miracle if they manage to keep their net intact against the Sounders, who have scored eight goals in their last three outings at home.

The odds are not attractive at -154, but backing both teams to score seems like the best move. The Sounders have found the back of the net in each but one of their previous nine games overall. On the other side, LA will lean on Javier Hernandez to score.