Important Three Points at Stake
Time is winding down on the MLS regular season as the Los Angeles Galaxy have 10 games left and the Seattle Sounders have nine.
The Galaxy won over the weekend to move into sixth place on 33 points, but the Sounders lost at home and sit in ninth place with 32 points. Just three points separate sixth place from 11th place in the Western Conference, giving added importance to every game down the stretch.
Let’s check the latest MLS news, stats, injury reports and MLS odds for Los Angeles Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders. We’ve plenty of MLS picks and predictions for you to consider.
Galaxy Get Back on Track
After a pair of rough losses on the road, the LA Galaxy returned home Saturday and started a two-game homestand with a convincing 5-2 win over Vancouver Whitecaps. The Galaxy jumped out to a 3-0 lead through Samuel Grandsir, Chicharito and Victor Vazquez. Grandsir scored again to make it 4-1 before halftime and Efrain Alvarez finished off the scoring in the final moments.
The five goals are more than the Galaxy scored in the last four games combined and stopped a stretch where they won just once in six games. The defense still has some work to do, allowing at least two goals for the fifth time in seven games.
Chicharito now has goals in two straight games after scoring just once in the previous six games. He leads the team with 10 goals, one more than super-sub Dejan Jovelic. The soccer odds from the last game had Chicharito as the favorite for an anytime goal in the game, and he delivered.
Sounders Playing Inconsistent Soccer
The Sounders just cannot seem to get things put together in the MLS season after winning the CONCACAF Champions League in May.
After a solid league run in June, they won just once in five games between June 29 and July 23. Then, after winning two of three to get back into a playoff spot, they suffered two straight 2-1 losses in the last two weekends.
The offense, loaded with stars, has let the Sounders down. They have just one multi-goal game in the last eight contests and were shut out three games in a row in July. Each of the last three games has seen the Sounders score just once.
Raul Ruidiaz, who played in last week’s All-Star game, returned to the starting lineup in the 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake.
He played 65 minutes for his most action since July 9, and a full return can be a big boost for the Sounders offense. Jordan Morris leads the team with six goals on the season while Ruidiaz and Nicolas Lodeiro have five goals each.
Sounders vs Galaxy Head-to-Head
These teams have met 41 times in MLS action, including playoff games in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015. In March, the Sounders won at home 3-2 as the scores and odds had them at -104 to win that contest. Last year they also won in both stadiums, and the Galaxy has not won in this matchup since Sept. 23, 2018.
Overall, the Sounders lead the series 15-14 with 12 draws, but they only have five all-time wins in Dignity Health Sports Park. Ruidiaz has eight career goals against the Galaxy, while both Morris and Cristian Roldan have six.
Sounders vs Galaxy Game Information
- Game: Seattle Sounders (10-13-2) vs Los Angeles Galaxy (10-11-3)
- Location: Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, Calif.
- Day/Time: Friday, Aug. 18, 10 p.m. ET
- Live stream: fubo.tv
Sounders vs Galaxy Betting Lines
Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
LA Galaxy | -½ -105 | -105 | 3 -115o | 1½ -125o
1½ -105u |
Seattle Sounders | +½ -125 | +260 | 3 -115u | 1½ +155o
1½ -190u |
Draw | +290 |
Sounders vs Galaxy Prediction
The soccer betting odds expect this game to be a battle with the Galaxy favored at -105 and the Sounders at +260 to grab all three points. A draw is +290.
The soccer picks for this game favor the Galaxy. They played well at home last weekend and should be able to carry that momentum into the game against the Sounders.
Seattle has been unable to score multiple goals in a game while the Galaxy have scored at least two goals in each of the last seven games in which they have scored.