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Two teams looking to bounce back will clash at Banc of California Stadium on Wednesday night. Can the hosts get back to doing what they do best, which is winning Major League Soccer matches?
Will the visitors, who to be honest, were embarrassed by the Timbers on the road last time out, pick up a respectable result? Read on for our Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake predictions.
Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake prediction
For the Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake match prediction, we believe the final score will be a 2-0 win for LAFC based on our analysis.
This is the perfect opportunity for the hosts to bounce back after that shock defeat last time out, and we know how strong they can be at home. Moreover, the visitors are without their captain and main goal threat, which doesn’t bode well for them, so a routine home win looks highly likely.
See below for our Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake predictions:
Los Angeles FC -1 Handicap (3way) @ +125 @ BetMGM
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Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake betting odds
The early betting ahead of this game implies that the probability of a LAFC win is 66.7%, while the probability of a Real Salt Lake win is just 18.2%.
Using our own calculations, we’ve landed on win probabilities of 69.2% for LAFC and 17.4% for Real Salt Lake.
Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake head-to-head statistics
When the teams met earlier in the current season, Real Salt Lake won by three goals to nil in front of a home crowd. They also won when visiting Banc of California Stadium last season. Prior to that, LAFC had beaten RSL twice in succession, winning 3-0 on the road and 4-0 at home.
Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake preview
This game will take place on 17/07/2024 at Banc of California Stadium. Kick off will be at 7:45 PM local time.
Talk about a shock defeat. Everybody knows the quality of the Columbus Crew, but few people expected them to go to Banc of California Stadium and score five goals en route to a resounding victory.
That defeat will have been tough to take for Steve Cherundolo’s men, though should we read too much into it? I don’t think so. It was just one of those nights.
In general, this is an LAFC side that is very strong at home. They’ve won all but one of their last seven Major League Soccer home games, so don’t be surprised if they bounce back here.
The visitors also lost heavily last time out, slumping to a 3-0 defeat away to the Portland Timbers, creating a rather poor impression in doing so.
We’ve seen RSL do all sorts this season; they’ve been great offensively at times, tearing teams to shreds, but they’ve also failed to turn up, while they’ve often looked far too open at the back, which is not what the doctor ordered ahead of a trip to Banc of California Stadium.
Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake picks
To my value seeking eyes, as both teams search for redemption at Banc of California Stadium, just one bet appeals looking at the early lines.
Los Angeles FC -1 Handicap (3way)
I'm really not going to overreact to that defeat against the Crew. Yes, it was a humiliating one, but there’s a big difference between playing against a Columbus Crew firing on all cylinders and playing against a RSL team missing their best player.
What’s more, if there’s one team that’s very good at bouncing back quickly in Major League Soccer, then it’s LAFC.
The absence of Cristian Arango, who is RSL’s top scorer, captain and most threatening attacker is a huge one. Him being out greatly diminishes the offensive threat of a team that is already likely low on confidence after that Timbers defeat.
Moreover, the hosts know how to win at home, and they know how to win by a clear margin. Not only have the hosts won eight of their last nine home games in all competitions, but they’ve won by more than one goal in six of those eight.
It’s also worth mentioning, that when the visitors have lost on the road this term, it’s been by more than one goal.
Ultimately, I’m expecting the hosts to bounce back in relatively decent style here and I think there’s enough evidence to suggest that they’re a little more likely to do so by a two-goal (+) margin than the early odds would have us believe.
Recap - Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake best bets
To confirm, our recommended bets for LAFC vs RSL are:
Los Angeles FC -1 Handicap (3way) @ +125 BetMGM
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