Seattle Sounders vs LAFC – MLS Odds & Pick, August 30
- Los Angeles FC visit the Seattle Sounders on Sunday as +138 favorites in the MLS odds
- LAFC are unbeaten in two previous visits to Seattle, and bounced the Sounders from the MLS is Back tournament with a decisive 4-1 victory
- We’ve got you covered with all the odds and trends ahead of Sunday’s matchup at CenturyLink Field
The Seattle Sounders will be aiming to win two in a row for the first time since their victory in last year’s MLS Cup Final when they host Los Angeles FC on Sunday night as slim +160 home underdogs.
Seattle Sounders vs Los Angeles FC Odds
| Team | Moneyline Odds | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Sounders | +160 | O 3.5 (+108) |
| Los Angeles FC | +138 | U 3.5 (-148) |
| Draw | +285 | n/a |
*Odds taken on 08/30/2020. For more betting options visit DraftKings Sportsbook
Sounders Return to Action on Winning Note
The Sounders are coming off a decisive 3-0 win over the Portland Timbers in their return to regular season action a week ago. But the club struggled to produce consistent results throughout 2020, posting just four wins in 10 outings across all competitions this season, with one of those victories coming in a friendly against the USL’s Sacramento Republic.
Overall, the club has struggled against top flight opponents. In addition to making an early exit from the CONCACAF Champions league, the Sounders were also bounced from the recent MLS is Back tournament in the Round of 16, meekly bowing out with a 4-1 loss to Sunday night’s opponents, Los Angeles FC.
Defense Remains Key to Sounders Success
The Sounders have managed to maintain a slender grasp on a spot among the top four in the MLS standings, joining Minnesota and Portland in a three-way tie for second place. And apart from their recent tournament loss to LAFC, the Sounders have carried over their stingy play from last season, limiting opponents to one or fewer goals in five of their seven league contests this year.
However, there has been no shortage of offensive production in recent meetings between these two clubs. Both have found the back of the net in each of their past four meetings, with four or more total goals scored in three of those clashes. That adds appeal to the +108 odds of the total going OVER in Sunday night’s matchup at CenturyLink Field.
Seattle Sounders vs Los Angeles FC Stats
| Tied 2nd in Western Conference (11 points) | Standing in MLS | Tied 6th in Western Conference (9 points) |
| 1.67 | Goals per game | 2.50 |
| 0.67 | Goals against per game | 2.00 |
| 2-2-1 | W-D-L record in past five MLS matches | 2-1-2 |
LAFC Feeling Vela’s Absence
LAFC have benefited the most from those high-scoring contests, scoring four times in each of their two most recent wins over Seattle, and earning three points in four of six all-time meetings with Seattle. However, the Black and Gold came out flat in their return to play last week, dropping a 2-0 decision to the LA Galaxy. In addition to their disappointing performance, the club also lost reigning league MVP Carlos Vela to a knee injury that will sideline him indefinitely.
Carlos Vela has a grade 2 MCL injury to his left knee and will be out for an unspecified length of time, LAFC coach Bob Bradley said.
— Calcio Argentino (@CalcioArgentino) August 26, 2020
The star striker has played a key role in LAFC’s past success against the Sounders, scoring three times over his past three appearances against Seattle, and has been a constant scoring threat when healthy, scoring 38 goals over his past 36 MLS league outings.
Black and Gold Road Warriors
Despite those struggles, the Black and Gold remain perched as +138 road favorites heading into Sunday night’s matchup, and with good reason. LAFC have been road warriors since early last season, compiling an impressive 7-5-2 win-draw-loss record in their past 14 true road contests, and have surrendered only one goal in two previous trips to CenturyLink Field. The club also still has plenty to prove after losing to Seattle in last season’s MLS Western Conference Final.
LAFC's season:
—Set MLS record 72 points
—Carlos Vela scores a record 31 regular season goals
—Finished with +48 goal difference
—16 points and 33 goals more than second place
—Lose MLS Western Conference Final to Seattle Sounders— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 30, 2019
However, with Vela sidelined, it is likely to be a tougher road to victory against a Sounders squad that is rediscovering its offensive touch. While this contest still has the makings of a wide open affair, with short -265 odds of both teams scoring, it is the Sounders that offer the value as betting underdogs to continue their steady play, and claim their first-ever home victory over LAFC.
Picks: Seattle Sounders (+160); OVER 3.5 (+108)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
