Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles FC Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 8/21/21
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles FC
The Vancouver Whitecaps meet Los Angeles FC for the second time this year, as the 2021 MLS season goes on Saturday, August 21, with 12 games on the schedule. The Blue-and-White welcome LAFC at BC Place in Vancouver with the kick-off at 10:00 PM ET, and the hosts are +320 underdogs to grab a win. Back in July, Vancouver and LAFC played a 2-2 draw at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Whitecaps are unbeaten in seven straight outings
Vancouver is coming off a 2-1 road victory at Austin FC last Wednesday, as the Whitecaps put an end to their strange five-game draw streak. Now, the Blue-and-White have a couple of wins in their last seven outings and are sitting at the 11th spot of the Western Conference standings with 20 points (W4, D8, L7) and a 21:29 goal difference.
The Whitecaps have recorded one win and a pair of stalemates over their last three showings at home. They’ve played just eight of their first 19 games at BC Place, earning 11 points in the process to go with an 8:10 goal difference.
Winger Cristian Dajome leads the way for Vancouver this term, bagging eight goals in 17 appearances along with a pair of dishes. Striker Lucas Cavallini and winger Deiber Caicedo added three goals each, while Caicedo also has three assists in 18 apps this season.
LAFC dropped three straight
Since a 2-1 home victory over Real Salt Lake on July 17, Los Angeles FC has gone winless in six straight outings, including that 2-2 draw against Vancouver. The Black and Gold are riding a three-game losing streak following a 1-0 defeat at Atlanta United last Wednesday, as they failed to find the back of the net for the first time in 14 games.
LAFC is now laying at the eighth spot of the Western Conference table, just outside of the playoff picture. The Black and Gold have earned 23 points out of 19 contests (W6, D5, L8) to go with a 24:26 goal difference.
Carlos Vela commands the way for LAFC with five goals and four assists in 16 appearances this season. Midfielder Jose Cifuentes and winger Diego Rossi have also scored five goals each, while Cifuentes has three assists in 19 apps this term.
Total:Draw
The stake is huge for both teams here, so I’m expecting a thrilling battle and a draw in the end. Of course, it’s a tough wager, but this should be a hard-fought battle between a couple of teams that desperately need a win in the playoff race.
The visitors are firm favorites to win and a better team on paper, but their form has been awful as of late, while the Whitecaps have improved a lot over the last few weeks. Last month, Vancouver blew a 2-0 lead in Los Angeles, as the Black and Gold avoided an upset thanks to Carlos Vela and Jose Cifuentes.
The Pick:Both Teams to Score YES
The Black and Gold have some serious injury problems and cannot count on centre-back Eddie Segura, while another important defender, Jesus Murillo, is questionable to play. LAFC has conceded in seven consecutive outings, while ten of the Black and Gold’s last 14 games saw goals on both sides.
Both teams have scored in four of Vancouver’s previous five contests as well, so betting on BTTS YES in this matchup seems like a way to go. The odds are not tempting at -175, but the hosts should take full advantage of LAFC’s injury-depleted defense, while the visitors have a lot of dangerous weapons and shouldn’t have any problems scoring once against the Whitecaps.
