LAFC vs Seattle Sounders FC Picks and Predictions: Goals on Short Supply

When LAFC and Seattle take the pitch at BMO Stadium on Wednesday night, the top spot in the Western Conference will be squarely in everyone’s mind. Both teams know a win could see them move atop the conference pending other results, while a defeat could see either club slide from a Top-3 spot down to fifth in a congested conference.

But what both teams will also be thinking about is how to navigate the next few weeks, with each side seeing key players departing for the Gold Cup. But while LAFC will be missing a player or two, Seattle’s going to be without some of their most important players for at least a week, if not longer.

How does that play into your favor as a bettor? Find out as we break down the match in our LAFC vs. Seattle Sounders betting picks and predictions for Wednesday, June 21.

LAFC vs Seattle Sounders FC best odds

LAFC vs Seattle Sounders FC picks and predictions

Seattle is not the least bit happy with how the calendar is playing out. Not only will they be losing leading scorer Jordan Morris and key playmaker Cristian Roldan to the USMNT squad for the Gold Cup, but their petition to have the two players travel for the LAFC match and report to the USMNT camp late was denied.

As such, Seattle travel down the coast on Wednesday missing numerous important players. In addition to the aforementioned duo, they will be without defender Alex Roldan and midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro. This is problematic for a Sounders team that has struggled for goals of late. 

One could argue they’ve figured things out with three goals at the weekend, but that came against the worst defense in the league in Charlotte — and it still was only good enough to secure a draw. Prior to that outburst, Seattle had just two goals in their last four away fixtures, and just five goals in their last nine matches altogether. 

Goals haven’t been easy to come by for LAFC either. Their 2-1 victory at Sporting KC this weekend came via a last-gasp winner from Carlos Vela, who was gifted the goal when a Sporting defender kept him onside well behind the back line and allowed him to get one-on-one with the keeper. It was the first multi-goal affair for the black and gold in seven matches, and in those six previous matches, they’d managed just one goal as they suffered five defeats. 

The congested fixture list for the hosts is partly to blame, but so has been their inability to stop giving up scoring opportunities to opponents. That may not be an issue for them on Wednesday, with how shorthanded Seattle will be, although the loss of Aaron Long to the Gold Cup won’t help matters. But with so much at stake considering their positions in the table, I expect this to be a match neither team will want to lose. 

With the amount of quality they’ll be missing through injury and Gold Cup departures, I expect Seattle to be content with limiting LAFC’s attack and getting a valuable point. Combine that with LAFC’s struggles in front of goal, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a low-scoring contest. Take the Under at plus-odds with two teams struggling to find answers in the attack.

My best bet: Under 2.5 goals (+105 at PointsBet)

LAFC vs Seattle Sounders FC side analysis

With Seattle missing so many players and LAFC unable to consistently find goals, it’s hard for me to pick a winner. However, the public is all over LAFC to win at home, with them sitting at -110 or shorter to win outright. Seattle is a considerable underdog, with the draw offering solid value as high as +280.

Were LAFC to claim victory, it would be just their second win in eight matches. They’ve lost five and drawn one in their last seven in all competitions, and have gone four straight at home in all competitions without a victory. They will be without multiple key players, including midfielder Kellyn Acosta and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, while midfielder Timothy Tillman is also set to miss out. They could see the return of Denis Bouanga, who has been on international duty with Gabon. 

Seattle will be without Morris but, more importantly, will be missing their entire right side with the Roldans being out of the team. They’ll hope to overcome that to pick up just their second away win in seven away fixtures in all competitions. They’ve also won just once in their last six overall, losing three times.

LAFC vs Seattle Sounders FC Over/Under analysis

We’ve already gone over why the Under is your play here, but the Over is priced at -120 or shorter for those inclined to back goals. These teams played to a scoreless draw back in March when they met up in Seattle, and four of their last six meetings have gone Under. However, five of the last six showdowns in LA have hit the Over. 

LAFC have seen two or fewer goals in five of their last nine matches in all competitions, including each of their last four at home. Those four matches have seen LAFC fail to score a single goal, as they’ve conceded five. 

Seattle’s 3-3 draw this weekend ended a four-match run of matches with two or fewer goals, and the Under has gone 5-2 over their last seven outings. Seattle themselves have failed to score in three of their last five matches.

LAFC vs Seattle Sounders FC game info

LAFC vs Seattle Sounders FC key injuries

LAFC: Aaron Long D (Out), Kellyn Acosta M (Out), Timothy Tillman M (Out).
Seattle Sounders FC: Cristian Roldan M (Out), Jordan Morris F (Out), Alex Roldan D (Out), Nicolas Lodeiro M (Out).

LAFC vs Seattle Sounders FC weather

Wednesday’s match will be played in near perfect conditions. There is no chance of rain in the forecast, while temperatures at kickoff will be around 70 degrees.

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