Los Angeles FC Vs Minnesota United
Los Angeles FC Vs Minnesota United Thursday 29 July, 2021 – 03:30
US Major League Soccer
Pick: Over 2.5 Goals/Both Teams to Score
Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 27 July 2021)
Preview: To the Banc of California on Thursday – or Wednesday for those from the States – for an all Western Conference affair between the teams in fifth and sixth respectively. Can Los Angeles FC register only a second ever victory against Minnesota United in this their fifth MLS meeting.
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Table of Contents
Los Angeles FC – Vela showing he still main man at LAFC?
LAFC seemed to have turned a corner in what had been, until then, an underwhelming season when recording three consecutive victories at the start of July. As many wins as they had accrued through their first ten MLS outings in 2021. However, that momentum has stalled over the last week. A 2-1 defeat on the road at the Portland Timbers very quickly followed by a draw, in Los Angeles, with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
It was very nearly back-to-back losses, though, a feat managed once before this campaign. That scenario was avoided courtesy of a Carlos Vela-inspired fightback at Banc of California Stadium. With his team 2-0 down, the Mexican made the net ripple for the third game running, a trademark cool finish, before Jose Cifuentes’ moved level with Diego Rossi as the club’s leading scorer in 2021 with a fifth goal this term.
That draw, however hard-fought, would also preserve The Black and Gold’s unbeaten home run, which now stands at four (W2 D2) having lost one of eight said fixtures all season long. This bodes well ahead of the midweek visit from Minnesota, who are exceptional on their own patch but susceptible on their travels. LAFC will be wary, though, sustaining a 2-0 loss the last time the teams met in Los Angeles.
Minnesota United – Loons don’t know when they’re beat?
Arguably the hottest outfit in the West – or the entire league for that matter – are Adrian Heath’s Minnesota United. Even when matters out on the pitch aren’t going according to plan, as was the case last time out, the Loons can simply dip into their ample reserves of confidence and resilience and pluck out a big result. Saturday’s come-from-behind triumph over Portland Timers a perfect case in point.
Second best for much of the contest inside Allianz Field, a couple of late goals eventually did for a spirited Timbers’ side. The clincher a ruthless finish from Robin Lod, who has returned from the European Championship with Finland hungry to make up for lost time it seems. That his second in as many games, having netted the decisive effort in inflicting Seattle Sounders’ first league loss of 2021 on 18 July.
It has been a remarkable transformation. Since opening with four consecutive losses, shipping 10 goals in the process, Minnesota United are unbeaten in nine of ten (W6 D3 L1). That is 21 points from the last 30. And in a huge shout out to a vastly improved defensive unit, only six conceded complemented by five clean sheets. Next up a trip to LAFC, who they’ve not lost to in their last three meetings, winning twice.
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Los Angeles FC Vs Minnesota United Betting Advice
This has all the hallmarks of being a highly competitive duel at Banc of California Stadium, where Los Angeles FC have lost once all season but have dipped in form more recently. On the same weekend Minnesota United continued their incredible consistency by producing a spirited comeback at home to Portland Timbers, LAFC were given a massive scare at this venue by a Vancouver side second bottom of the West.
Los Angeles FC Vs Minnesota United – Key Facts:
- Fifth hosts sixth in the Western Conference. Minnesota United will feel they hold the upper hand, however, winning two and losing none of the last three meetings.
- Los Angeles FC are winless in two, having reeled off three straight wins beforehand. They have, however, fared well at home (W4 D3 L1), scoring 2+ on six occasions.
- Minnesota United are in excellent form. The Loons have lost just one of their last ten MLS games (W6 D3 L1) but won only once on the road so far (W1 D2 L3).
LAFC tend to reserve their best for home. This is in sharp contrast to a Minnesota United team which has one away win to its name all season. The latter are a resilient sort, though, with one loss in ten overall. The Loons also found the net in four of their past five away matches. Therefore, with LAFC netting two or more on six occasions at home but conceding at least once in six of the last seven said fixtures, this could be fun.
Best Betting Odds – Los Angeles FC Vs Minnesota United
Los Angeles FC – 8/15 (Betway)
Draw – 10/3 (Betfair)
Minnesota United – 5/1 (Betfair)
