Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Prediction, Preview and Odds - 6/26/21
The Seattle Sounders are off to a very strong start in MLS action. Seattle is first in the Western Conference standings through 10 matches. Seattle is 7-3-0 with 24 points and a +13 goal difference. Seattle is four points clear of second-place Sporting Kansas City but has played one more match than Sporting KC. Seattle's most recent match resulted in a 2-1 victory at home over Real Salt Lake. Scoring for Seattle where Cristian Roldan in the 58th minute and Raul Ruidiaz scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 88th minute.
Vancouver has not had the success that Seattle has had through the early part of the MLS season. The Whitecaps are 12th in the Western Conference standings with an overall record of 2-1-6 and 7 points with a -6 goal difference. Vancouver is tied on points with 13th place FC Dallas but leads Dallas on goal difference -6 to -7. Vancouver was defeated at home 2-1 on Wednesday by LA Galaxy. Vancouver leveled the score at 1-1 with a stoppage-time goal by Bikel, but gave up a winner to Galaxy two minutes later, before the final whistle, to lose all three points.
Sounders Attack is hard to stop
Through the first 10 matches of the regular season, Seattle has a +13 goal difference. Seattle has scored two goals or more in six of its 10 matches. The Sounders have yet to lose this season with seven victories and three draws and have been held scoreless only once in a 0-0 draw with Austin. However, it's not all about scoring for Seattle, as the Sounders also have held each opponent to one goal or less in each of their 10 matches and on the season are allowing an average of only 0.50 goals per match.
Seattle has won three of its last five matches in the MLS with the other two ending in draws. Seattle’s Raul Ruidiaz has scored eight goals to lead the Sounders, while Brad Smith has scored three. Cristian Roldan and Fredy Montero each have scored two goals. Joao Paulo is Seattle's leader in assists with 4 and Alex Roldan has two.
Vancouver's attack lacks punch
Vancouver has won just two of its first nine matches. The Whitecaps attack has lacked punch through 9 matches. Vancouver has scored two or fewer goals in each of its nine matches and on the season is averaging only 0.88 goals per match. Vancouver has been held scoreless in three of nine matches and has scored two goals just twice. The Vancouver backline and goalkeeper have held their own as the Whitecaps are allowing an average of 1.55 goals per match. Vancouver has two clean sheets through nine matches.
Vancouver has lost each of its last five matches in the MLS and has been outscored over that span by a combined 11-3. The Whitecaps leading scorer is Cristian Dajome with three goals and five other players including Deiber Caicedo, Bikel, Lucas Cavallini, Andy Rose and Brian White have each scored one goal. Cristian Gutierrez is leading the Whitecaps in assists with two.
Side: Seattle Sounders -282
Seattle is far better top to bottom than Vancouver. Seattle has scored 18 goals this season with an average of 1.80 goals per match. While most football pundits talk about how strong the Seattle attack is, the Sounders backline and goalkeeper are equally strong. The Sounders are allowing an average of only 0.50 goals per match which equates to an average of scoring 1.30 more goals per match than they give up. Vancouver has had a difficult time finding the back of the net with only 8 goals scored in nine matches for an average of 0.88 per outing. Add to that the advantage Seattle will have playing on its home pitch and the results will be the Sounders taking all three points on Saturday.
Total: Over 2.75
Although Seattle is scoring an average of only 1.80 goals per game, the Sounders will have possession of the ball for more than 50% of the time and will pressure the back line of Vancouver early and often. Five of Seattle's 10 matches have finished over the 2.5 goals per game threshold but the Sounders opponent on Saturday will be one of its weakest of the season. Each of Vancouver's last four matches have ended with a combined three or more goals scored.
