Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles Galaxy Prediction, Preview and Odds - 6/23/21
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
The Vancouver Whitecaps host the Los Angeles Galaxy at Rio Tinto Stadium this Wednesday night with the kick-off at 10:30 PM ET, as the MLS betting action continues with this marquee Western Conference showdown. The visitors are listed as slight favorites to earn all three points, but the Whitecaps will be fired up to finally put an end to their awful run of form. Excitements are guaranteed in this one, so let’s see what’s the best Vancouver vs. LA Galaxy betting pick.
Vancouver desperately needs a win
The Vancouver Whitecaps wrapped up a four-game road trip this past Friday, suffering a 3-1 defeat at Real Salt Lake. It was a heart-breaking loss, as the Whitecaps yielded a couple of goals in the stoppage time of the second half, extending their losing streak to four games.
After dropping all its four contests on a road trip, Vancouver sits at the 12th spot of the Western Conference standings with seven points out of eight games and a 7:12 goal difference. In three outings at home this term, the Whitecaps have recorded a couple of wins over Montreal 2-0 and Portland 1-0 along with a 1-0 defeat to Colorado.
Vancouver can count on all its first-team players for Wednesday’s home clash against LA. Winger Cristian Dajome will lead the frontline after scoring three goals in eight games this season, while the Whitecaps need more from forwards Deiber Caicedo and Lucas Cavallini who have combined for just a couple of goals thus far.
Los Angeles hit the road after a tough loss to Seattle
The Los Angeles Galaxy are coming off a 2-1 home loss to the Seattle Sounders, recording their second defeat in the last three games overall. Sacha Kljestan converted the penalty kick early in the first half to get the Galaxy a lead, but Seattle turned the game on its head with a pair of goals in just eight minutes.
LA fell to the fourth spot of the Western Conference standings with 15 points on their tally and a 12:13 goal difference. In three outings on the road this year, the Galaxy has recorded a couple of losses at Portland 3-0 and Seattle 3-0 along with a 3-2 victory over Inter Miami.
The 33-year-old striker Javier Hernandez leads the way for Los Angeles, as Chicharito has bagged seven goals in eight appearances so far this season. He’s also added two assists, while Sacha Kljestan has two goals on his tally. The Galaxy are without defender Derrick Williams who’s suspended for six matchdays.
Side:Vancouver Whitecaps +160
Last season, Vancouver easily beat LA at home, 3-0. I’m looking for the Whitecaps to defeat the Galaxy once more and finally put an end to their losing streak. Vancouver is a very dangerous side when playing at home, while Los Angeles hasn’t impressed at all when playing on the road so far this season.
Over their last nine outings at Rio Tinto Stadium, the Whitecaps have recorded seven wins and two losses, scoring at least a pair of goals in six of those nine contests. On the other side, the Galaxy have dropped seven of their previous eight games on the road while failing to score in five of those eight tilts.
Total: Over 2.5
Neither of these two teams can brag with a stout defense, so I’m opting with the Over 2.5 Goals. Los Angeles has yielded a whopping 13 goals through eight matchdays, while Vancouver has allowed 12. Considering their defensive woes, we should expect to see a high-scoring affair.
Furthermore, LA’s last five road games saw three or more goals on the scoreboard, as well as Vancouver’s previous three games overall. The visitors will lean on Chicharito to extend his nice scoring form, but their defense will have a mountain to climb in a road matchup with the Whitecaps. Four of the last seven encounters between the Whitecaps and Galaxy produced three or more goals
