The LA Galaxy will kick off their 2024 MLS campaign on Sunday evening when they welcome Inter Miami to Dignity Health Sports Park. The latest MLS odds have the two teams almost evenly matched to claim victory.
LA Galaxy will hope to get off to a much stronger start than a season ago when they managed just one victory from their opening 10 matches. That dismal start doomed them to missing the playoffs for the third time in four seasons, and manager Greg Vanney knows he could see himself on the hot seat should they once again come out misfiring.
Inter Miami opened their season on Wednesday night with a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake, limiting the visitors to only two shots on goal. Neither Lionel Messi nor Luis Suarez opened their accounts, but each had an assist and will be looking to score and get a rare win away from home.
Our free betting picks and MLS predictions for LA Galaxy vs. Inter Miami dive into the matchup and help you find the best option to come away with a betting profit.
LA Galaxy vs Inter Miami best odds
LA Galaxy vs Inter Miami picks and predictions
Winning on the road is rarely easy in Major League Soccer, but Inter Miami have a few things going for them here.
First, they’ve got a match under their belt. That might not sound like much, but MLS isn’t a league where teams get high-intensity pre-seasons abroad. In fact, their trip to China may have caused more damage to their brand given Messi’s lack of appearances.
The Galaxy will be taking the pitch in a competitive match at home for the first time this season, and they weren’t playing particularly well to end the last campaign. Their 67 goals conceded were the most in the league, and they failed to register a single win over their final six matches.
The Galaxy signed John McCarthy to upgrade their goalkeeper position, but the majority of the moves they made were to address holes in the midfield and attack. Making matters worse, Jalen Neal won't play after the American international CB suffered an abdominal injury.
While LA Galaxy made strong offensive signings this offseason neither Joseph Paintsil nor Gabriel Pec will be available. As such, Inter Miami’s defense will have an easier time than they would were this match to be played later this season. It also means the hosts will be playing a squad that isn’t what they’ve been preparing to field this season, and that should lead to a bit more miscommunication and lack of cohesion.
Inter Miami looked particularly strong at both ends of the pitch against Real Salt Lake. Their lack of depth was evident in the second half, especially as their aging stars tired out, but they also wasted multiple chances as they shook off some rust.
I anticipate that rust will be gone on Sunday, and Inter Miami will take advantage of the absence of Neal and the lack of addition to the LA Galaxy backline. Back Messi and company to get the win away from home at very favorable odds.
My best bet: Inter Miami moneyline (+133 at TonyBet)
Lionel Messi Odds
With Messi being on everyone’s minds, we’re going to take a bit of a deeper dive into his player props.
We probably won’t see this for much longer, but you can get plus-odds for a goal from Messi with TonyBet offering +104 for him to find the back of the net. This is a solid price, considering what we discussed regarding LA Galaxy having questions in the back line.
Messi is also getting +154 for an assist, which might also be worth a look. Messi created four chances against Real Salt Lake, and he attempted 67 passes on the night with 55 finding their mark. He also managed 10 touches in the opposition’s box.
For those looking at his shot market, I’d stay away. You’ll have to go up to 5+ shots to get anything near playable odds, and he attempted just four against Real Salt Lake. He also put just two of those efforts on goal, which would pay -134 on Sunday. One of those came from about 35 yards out and came late in the match.
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LA Galaxy vs Inter Miami same-game parlay
Inter Miami moneyline
Both teams to score - Yes
Luis Suarez anytime goalscorer
Luis Suarez had two efforts on goal against Real Salt Lake from dangerous positions and had six touches inside the penalty area. I like him to score against a Galaxy defense that struggled to prevent goals last season.
While the Galaxy don’t have some of their expected weapons for this match, I still like them to find the back of the net. Inter Miami was fortunate not to concede in the second half as they tired out, and they are traveling across the country for a late-night match.
Inter Miami will win, but I don’t see them getting out of this one with another clean sheet.
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LA Galaxy vs Inter Miami side and Over/Under analysis
We are already on the Inter Miami money line on the 3-way line, but we could’ve gotten a better price mid-week when they were around +160. The draw has gone up with +300 on offer, while LA Galaxy’s price has seen little movement as it’s settled around +155.
Given our same-game parlay, we’re expecting at least three goals in this one. The public is as well, with odds of more than -200 for the Over 2.5 standard total. The Asian total of 3.25 has split odds on either side and is what you’ll have to play if you want to not lay juice.
The Under is paying quite well but isn’t the play on Sunday. The Galaxy have too many issues in defense that are carried over from a season ago, and I simply don’t trust Miami’s defense to not capitulate in the second half.
I’d lean Over here, but I’m staying away outside of our SGP.
LA Galaxy vs Inter Miami game info
| Location: | Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA |
| Date: | Sunday, February 25, 2024 |
| Time: | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Apple TV |
| Weather: | 60 mph, 6 F, 0% POP |
LA Galaxy vs Inter Miami key injuries
LA Galaxy: Jalen Neal D (Out), Gabriel Pec M (Out), Joseph Paintsil F (Out).
Inter Miami: Facundo Farias M (Out), Ian Fray D (Out), Franco Negri D (Out).
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