LAFC vs Seattle Sounders Prediction, Picks & Odds

• After their latest victory, Seattle shouldn’t be taken lightly.
• Striker Raul Ruidiaz is already finding a good run of form early on in the 2021 season for the Sounders.
• All that said, LAFC are the favorites here and should be able to go toe-to-toe with Seattle. 

LAFC vs Seattle Sounders Odds

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LAFC vs Seattle Sounders Predictions and Picks

This should be a fun one. After coming off a win in their season-openers last week, both LAFC and the Seattle Sounders have already hit the ground running in MLS’ 2021 tournament.

With a chance to make an early statement in a new year, expect plenty of high-throttle and attack-minded soccer this weekend in what should be a tight contest. Although LAFC will be hosting the match and have a slight upper-hand, Seattle will make this a hard-fought encounter.

Pick:

Tie (+245)

How to Watch LAFC vs Seattle Sounders

What did we learn from each club’s season-opening weekend?

For Seattle, it was all about the squad’s ability to clinch a noteworthy 4-0 win without a couple of key players in their starting roster. Against a Minnesota United that consistently had issues with holding their opposition back, the Sounders looked composed and efficient without names like Nico Lodeiro and Yeimar Gomez Andrade in the XI.

Looking over at LAFC, the 2019 Supporters’ Shield winners were commanding in their 2-0 victory over MLS newcomers Austin FC. Without a strong presence from winger Carlos Vela, who was mistakenly substituted out early on in the 1st half, LAFC eventually found two late goals in the final 30 minutes that helped clinch three valuable points.

LAFC will now host another match at home this weekend, but it won’t be easy as their first…

Seattle Had The Most Dominant Win From Week 1

Let’s revisit that 4-0 win. Although Minnesota had some chances of their own, this was undeniably the most one-sided result of the first MLS weekend.

As mentioned earlier, even without Lodeiro who loves to pull the strings, Seattle were threatening with their chances and lethal with their opportunities in the final third. Were it not for a missed penalty from Raul Ruidiaz, this could have even been a bigger win for the Sounders.

And the good news? It looks as if Lodeiro — who is recovering from an injury — could get minutes this weekend. At the time of writing on Wednesday, Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer recently told Seattle sports station 950 KJR that if Lodeiro “can train in full on Friday, we’ll take him down with us.”

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Ruidiaz Is Already Hitting His Stride For The Sounders

What at first seemed like a bad omen after missing a penalty, later turned into one the best performances of MLS’ opening weekend.

Ruidiaz made up for his penalty miss with two goals in three minutes during the 2nd half of the recent win. The Peruvian was sensational for Seattle with his five shots on target that tested Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

When looking at individual xG (expected goals) from Week 1, no MLS player had a higher rating than Ruidiaz’s 1.74 tally — a good sign in his race for the Golden Boot award.

LAFC Have Plenty Of Attacking Options As Well

Let’s not forget LAFC either. Even without Vela’s presence for most of the previous game, three points were still clinched thanks to goals from Corey Baird and Jose Cifuentes.

Others deserve credit as well. Pablo Sisniega was a wall in the net, Eduard Atuesta was energetic in the midfield, and in the attack, LAFC were carried by figures like Kwadwo Opoku and Latif Blessing.

There are no reports that Vela’s injury was a serious one either. Given a full 90 minutes this weekend, the winger should be able to provide a response for LAFC if they allow a goal or two from Seattle.