The second and final match of the MLS 2024 weekend takes place on Sunday night when we head to the Western Conference for the last game before Decision Day on Saturday as the Vancouver Whitecaps host Los Angeles FC.
This is a match which has implications on it for both sides. Vancouver are currently only in the playoffs in the play-in round but a win here would move them into an automatic spot. A win for Los Angeles FC would secure second spot in the West and give them a shot of topping the table on Decision Day. Apple TV once again has full coverage while bookmaker live streams will show the game too.
Vancouver Whitecaps
The Vancouver Whitecaps were on course for a top four finish in the Western Conference a few weeks ago but they have chosen a terrible time to return just one win in their last seven matches and although we know that they will definitely be in the playoffs, they are certainly going to have to go on the road in two of the best of three matches in the first round, that is assuming they can find their way into the top seven in the table either here or on Saturday.
That said, it might be in their best interests to be on the road in the two out of three round because they are a rare MLS beast in that they have more road wins than they do home ones this season which takes a bit of doing. The Whitecaps have gone a couple of matches without scoring now so you would imagine this match and the one on Saturday will be used to find some confidence regardless of where it puts them in the league table at the end of it.
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Los Angeles FC
If the Columbus Crew and Inter Miami didn’t exist people would be getting really excited about this Los Angeles FC side. 11 months ago they made MLS Cup final and since then they have competed in the Leagues Cup final and the US Open Cup final, winning the latter, so this is a team that have a lot of big match pedigree and there is absolutely no doubt that they are going to be a factor when the playoffs begin later in the month. With them 10-4-2 at home this season, if they can finish in top spot and have home advantage until the MLS Cup final, you would think they are going to be hard to keep away from the title match.
Los Angeles have arguably the best squad in the entire league man for man in terms of depth available to them. Inter Miami might argue that case but there are so many options available for Steve Cherundolo which is why the black and gold have been able to be so competitive in so many competitions this season. After a five match winless run after the Leagues Cup, which might well have been a hangover of losing in the final, LAFC have now won their last three and normal business has resumed.
Betting
I’m not usually one for taking unders in the MLS but this might be a time to do it because this could be one of those occasions where just winning the match is the overall aim without pushing the boat out looking for goals. The other reason why the under could be the value play here is because both teams are missing their best attacking talent with Denis Bouanga and Ryan Gauld both away on international duty and while the LAFC backups are solid enough, the same isn’t the case for the Vancouver ones.
I do think Los Angeles FC will win this match if anyone does but without Bouanga and Cristian Olivera there is certainly no guarantee that the visitors will run the score up. Vancouver don’t really get battered too often anyway. As well as Gauld, Vancouver are missing Fafa Picault and Ali Ahmed who are attacking options so with second string attacking units out I just don’t see this one exploding like some MLS games so. I’ll play the under 3 goals here.
Tips
Back Under 3 goals for a 3/10 stake at 2.00 with Bet365
