A mismatch of monumental proportions pits the league’s best home team against the worst away side as Charlotte FC visits LAFC on Saturday evening.
Charlotte travels to Los Angeles with the unenviable title as the MLS’ road bottom feeders, while LAFC is in the midst of a five-match winning run, equaling the club’s longest since joining the league in 2018.
Find out who has the betting edge in our MLS betting picks for LAFC vs. Charlotte on Saturday, August 13.
LAFC vs Charlotte FC match odds
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LAFC vs Charlotte FC betting tips
- Prediction: LAFC (-263)
- Prediction: Over 2.5 (-189)
- Best bet: LAFC to win and Charlotte FC not to score (+140)
Predictions made on 8/12/2022 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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LAFC vs Charlotte FC game info
• Location: Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Saturday, August 13, 2022
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
LAFC vs Charlotte FC betting preview
Weather
The temperature should be a comparatively pleasant 79F for Saturday’s late kickoff. Light 6 mph winds will accompany 43% humidity.
Injuries
LAFC: Julian Gaines D (Out).
Charlotte FC: Vinicius Mello F (Out), Adam Armour D (Out), Kerwin Vargas F (Out).
LAFC vs Charlotte FC predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Side analysis
Things at Charlotte FC haven’t changed much since the club sacked former manager Angel Ramirez on May 31. Christian Lattanzio stepped into the limelight as the club’s interim bench boss and got off to a dream start, leading his side to a mini two-game unbeaten streak.
It was, however, a brief honeymoon period, as Charlotte FC has won just three of eight matches since, one of which came on the road. Lattanzio should take pride that he was at the helm for Charlotte’s only away win of the season, which occurred in Houston on July 3.
While Houston has the third worst Western Conference home record, Charlotte at least proved they can win in an inhospitable environment like PNC Stadium. Charlotte has lost two away contests on the bounce, one by a single goal at Inter Miami and the other by a wide four-goal margin in Toronto.
Overall, Charlotte has picked up just five points from a possible 36 on its travels, an abysmal record that should worsen after Saturday’s contest. Lattanzio’s side has the daunting task ahead of playing a team that has suffered just one home defeat all season. LAFC has not only won five successive contests but also prevailed in five straight games at Banc of California Stadium.
Steve Cherundolo’s side is in prolific form on their home patch, scoring 13 goals during the current winning streak. LAFC has bagged 28 goals in 12 home matches, a 2.33 goals-per-game average. Only New York City FC, with 30 strikes, has more home goals.
LAFC last suffered a defeat on July 2, a 1-0 away loss in Vancouver. However, Cherundolo’s side has won nine of their last 11 games, taking 28 from a possible 33 points during that time frame. As expected, Gareth Bale is being utilized off the bench as he finds his MLS legs. The former Real Madrid legend has made four substitute appearances since arriving in LA, scoring two goals in just 96 minutes of action.
Just a point behind Chicago for the final Eastern Conference playoff berth, Charlotte still has a lot to play for, which could prove a galvanizing force. But based on the overwhelming evidence, their tenuous shot at the playoffs won’t be enough to derail or slow the momentum LAFC has built throughout an exceptional campaign.
Prediction: LAFC (-263 at BetMGM)
Over/Under analysis
LAFC scores bundles of goals and rarely keeps a clean sheet at home. On June 26, the New York Red Bulls failed to score and were the last team to lay an egg at Banc of California Stadium.
LAFC has kept three clean sheets in 12 home contests, and six of their previous seven at Banc of California Stadium have resulted in the over. Nine of their 12 home matches have seen three or more goals.
Nine of Charlotte’s 12 away contests have resulted in the over, while the same 75% Over ratio applies to its most recent 12 matches. The compelling evidence points to the Over.
Prediction: Over 2.5 (-189 at BetMGM)
Best bet
Charlotte has proven its ability to score on the road, as Lattanzio’s team has failed to score in just one of their last seven away matches. Dating back further, Charlotte has scored in eight of its last 10 overall.
But LAFC is due for a clean sheet, and what better team to accomplish the feat than against the MLS’ worst road team? Look for LAFC to put on a clinic at both ends of the pitch and win by a 3-0 scoreline.
Pick: LAFC to win and Charlotte FC not to win (+140 at BetMGM)
