Los Angeles FC V Minnesota Betting Tips: LAFC & Over 3.5 Goals – 2 September 2019

Stats point towards another big LAFC victory

MLS Betting Tips

Los Angeles FC V Minnesota

Monday 2nd September 2019 – 02:30 Kick-Off
USA Major League Soccer
Pick: Los Angeles to WIN & Over 3.5 Goals
Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Betway

1 X 2
17/50 21/5 137/20

* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 1st September 2019 at 11:25)

Preview: Minnesota take on the gauntlet that is playing Los Angeles FC inside the Banc of California Stadium, a venue where no visiting side has come away with the victory all season long. Can a Minnesota team which has lost six of its last eight away league contests realistically expect to win this one?

USA MLS Betting with 22Bet

 

Los Angeles FC Preview – An imminent return to winning ways at home?

In a strange sort of way, Los Angeles FC’s thrilling 3-3 draw with the LA Galaxy last weekend epitomised why Bob Bradley’s side are currently head and shoulders above their rival competitors. Even when not being at their absolute best, facing an opponent that were clearly in a determined mood and who unquestionably produced one of their standout team performances of the entire season, LAFC still managed to dig deep and earn a positive outcome.

The point itself wasn’t all that important in the grand scheme of things – this is a team 18 points clear of everybody else in the Western Conference – but the draw did maintain the one and only unbeaten home record in the MLS this season. From fighting back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3, LAFC made it thirteen home games undefeated (W11 D2 L0). Though it did halt a five game winning streak overall.

Furthermore, no team averages more goals at home than LAFC (3.15), who have scored a minimum of three goals in each of their previous six MLS encounters at their Banc of California Stadium. One man behind a huge chunk of their total is the league’s leading scorer, Carlos Vela. The Mexican has 27 for the season so far and currently leads the way in the scoring charts, netting in each of his team’s last four matches.

LAFC Win & BTTS
21/20

Bet365

 

Minnesota Preview – Leaky away defence genuine cause for concern here?

The weekend has already begun on the wrong foot, with Minnesota seeing their position in the Western Conference fall from 5 to 7 without as much as kicking a ball in anger themselves. They will get an opportunity to do so here, although quite how much of the ball they will see remains to be seen as they prepare to tackle a team who, statistically speaking, are the current best team in the MLS.

Upon their visit to Los Angeles FC last season, Minnesota were soundly beaten 2-0 but did rack up a huge 5-1 victory on home soil. The likelihood of something similar to the latter occurring here seem remote, though, with coach Adrian Heath having overseen four away victories all season (W4 D1 L8). Furthermore, his side have only managed to record one win on their travels in their previous eight attempts (W1 D1 L6).

The Loons’ issues on the road stems from a very suspect defensive line, having shipped over twice as many goals away than at home (27 v 10). Six of those have come from their last two away encounters alone, losing 1-0 at Sporting Kansas and conceding five in a 5-3 defeat at FC Dallas. Their most recent away triumph, meanwhile, was a 3-2 success earned over Montreal Impact in early July.

 

Los Angeles FC V Minnesota Key Facts:

  • Each of Los Angeles’ previous six home MLS matches has featured a minimum of four goals scored in the match, with LAFC & Over 3.5 Goals landing on five occasions.
  • Minnesota have lost six of their last eight away matches in the MLS, conceding on average a little over 2 goals per away game this season.
  • However, the corresponding fixture last season in Los Angeles did only produce two goals in a 2-0 scoreline for the hosts.

 

Betting Summary

Irrepressible for much of the season, Los Angeles FC are already well and truly over the hill as far as wrapping up this Western Conference is concerned. However, there is not likely to be too much in the way of complacency, not under Bob Bradley’s watch and especially with the team protecting the only unbeaten home record in the MLS (W11 D2). Moreover, nobody scores goals on their own patch quite like they do (on average over 3 per home game).

The battle to finish inside the play-off spots is a fiercely competitive one in the Western Conference, with Minnesota slipping down to 7th place before this match even gets underway. So the need for a positive outcome is far greater in their respective camp, although it does seem unlikely that it will amount to anything for a team that has only secured maximum points in one of their previous eight away encounters (W1 D1 L6).

LAFC have been in irresistible form all season, regardless of where they play but particularly in California. No home defeats all season is phenomenal and should ensure we see another fully committed display from Carlos Vela & Co, who have scored at least three goals in their previous six home MLS matches and appear primed to continue that trend against a Minnesota side who have have regularly leaked goals on their travels.