LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps Picks and Predictions: LAFC Collects Early Dividends in Late-Night Tilt

BMO Stadium has been nightmare fuel for the Vancouver Whitecaps, but they’ll have to face their fears when they visit on Saturday night to take on LAFC. 

The top team in the Western Conference heading into the weekend, LAFC ended a six-match winless run with a victory over Seattle on Wednesday. Now they look to remain atop the conference and defeat a Vancouver side that they’ve never lost to at home in seven attempts. 

Meanwhile, the Whitecaps come into the weekend with a bit of a rest after their match at Colorado was called off due to severe weather on Wednesday, as they cling to the final playoff spot in the conference.

Can Vancouver pick up their first away victory of the season, or will LAFC continue to torment the visitors like a monster under the bed? Find out in our LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps picks and predictions for Saturday, June 24.

LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps best odds

LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps picks and predictions

So far this season, LAFC have played 17 matches in MLS. Three of those matches have ended in scoreless draws, two of which came away from home. In the other 14 matches, LAFC opened the scoring 13 times. No other team in the league has allowed their opponent to score first fewer times than their one, with the next best side having done so five times.

It’s a big reason why our best bet for this weekend’s match is for LAFC to be leading the match at halftime. Yes, they’ve been struggling to score goals of late. But they’re not allowing their opponents to score at home, either. Four of their nine home fixtures in the league have seen them keep a clean sheet, with four others seeing just one goal conceded. And only two of those goals have come in the opening 45 minutes.

More importantly, LAFC have led at halftime in six of those nine matches at home, versus just once on the road. Why does that matter for this weekend’s match? Because, to put it kindly, Vancouver have been bad away from home. Like, really bad. Whether it’s been in league play or CONCACAF Champions League, fans have had to hide their eyes.

Vancouver has played nine matches on the road this season. They’ve got as many wins as you do – not a single one. In fact, they’ve only drawn three times, and they’ve been held scoreless twice while conceding a total of 18 goals. They’ve managed just four first-half goals, and have trailed at halftime in four of their last six on enemy territory. Their six away goals are the fifth-fewest in the league, as well.

Did I mention one of those matches took place against the very LAFC side they’re facing on Saturday? An eighth minute penalty from Carlos Vela was one of two goals he would score before the referee blew for halftime, en route to a 3-0 win in the Champions League back in late April. Including that match, Vancouver have been outscored 7-2 in the opening 45 minutes.

Getting trounced in Los Angeles has been a trend for Vancouver, having allowed three or more goals in four of their seven visits. Making matters worse, their last six visits to BMO Stadium have seen them outscored 13-5 in the opening half of play. They’ve trailed at halftime in each of the last two, and in four of the last six. That trend continues on Saturday, as LAFC take advantage of a depleted Vancouver side early and often. 

My best bet: LAFC 1H moneyline (+110 at bet365)

LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps side analysis

LAFC are heavily favored for reasons we’ve already discussed. A price of -170 greets you should you want to pick them to win the match at full time, while those brave enough to go against history can get a +425 price on Vancouver. A draw pays very well too at +330.

LAFC’s 1-0 win at the midweek was just their third from their last nine matches in all competitions. They’ve lost five of those while drawing once, and the victory ended a four-match losing skid at home. Kellyn Acosta remains out in the midfield along with Timothy Tillman, with goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau still sidelined. Aaron Long will also miss out as he participates in the Gold Cup, as will defender Denil Maldonado. 

For the visitors, the Gold Cup is going to hurt them significantly. Multiple players will be unavailable, including Ali Ahmed, Javain Brown, and Julian Gressel. They will also be without Russell Teibert, as the midfielder continues to deal with a knee injury. It might not matter for a side that hasn’t won away from home in nine attempts, and has drawn just three times. 

LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps Over/Under analysis

The Total of 2.5 goals sees the Over bringing in much of the public money, with a price of -155 for three or more goals versus +125 for the Under. That said, the Under could present a bit of value in this one. 

In LAFC’s last 10 matches in all competitions, there have been two or fewer goals scored on six occasions. That includes the last five matches at home, where LAFC have scored just one goal in total – the first-minute deflection on Wednesday. They’ve conceded a total of just five goals in that span, however.  

As for Vancouver, their away form could lead to a higher-scoring affair and help LAFC’s recent scoring woes. Four of their last five away have seen three or more goals scored, including each of the last three. They’ve conceded eight goals over those three matches, scoring once in each of them. And six of their nine away matches have seen them concede multiple goals to their opponent, with the Total going Over. 

Given the juice in this one, I’m not going to bet the Over. But if I were forced to pick a side, that’s the way I’d go. LAFC put three past them earlier this season, and this could very well be the match where we see LAFC’s talented attackers remember how to put the ball in the back of the net. You’re also going to have multiple defensive players out for both sides on international duty. 

Parlaying the Over with an LAFC win might be the best way to get into both areas without laying juice.

LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps game info

LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps key injuries

LAFC: Aaron Long D (Out), Kellyn Acosta M (Out), Timothy Tillman M (Out), Denial Maldonado D (Out). 
Vancouver Whitecaps: Russell Teibert M (Out), Julian Gressel D (Out), Ali Ahmed D (Out), Javain Brown D (Out). 

LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps weather

It will be quite pleasant in Los Angeles on Saturday evening, with a projected temperature of 69 degrees at kickoff. Temps will drop a bit as the sun sets, while winds will be minimal and no chance of rain will be present.

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