Seattle Sounders to get their first points of the season. DNB, Seattle Sounders. Total Goals Over 2.5
The Seattle Sounders have been in shocking form in the last few weeks. They thrashed FC Motagua in the CONCACAF Champions League just before the MLS season began but lost their first two matches in the league.
LA Galaxy are the favorites to win once again, but they have not been at their best as well. They have managed to win both their opening games – both by a single goal.
This Saturday, the match at Lumen Field is unlikely to be a goal-scoring feast as both sides have not been great in front of the goal. A draw is the expected result, and it would not be a surprise if it is goalless at the end.
One of the easier decisions to make for this game based on the information we are presented with is the number of goals to expect. LA Galaxy have scored just 2 goals and conceded none in the season so far. While that is indicative of solid defensive compactness, the sample size is still very small.
Reverse that goal record and you get the Seattle Sounders’ season, with no goals scored and 2 conceded. Together, both teams have averaged one goal per game. That is statistical evidence – again, with the caveat that it is a small sample size – to suggest that there won’t be too many goals scored but bettors should ideally go the other way. The MLS is one of the quickest-moving leagues in the world, which means teams transition quickly across the phases of a soccer pitch.
This game is ideal to back over 2.5 goals to be scored because sportsbooks are likely to increase the odds on account of the early evidence indicating a slower-paced game.
Seattle Sounders have made a poor start to the season with back-to-back losses. They lost 1-0 at home to Nashville SC in the opening weekend and then headed to Real Salt Lake for a similar result.
The only positive this season for the Sounders has been their control over the game. They have dominated possession in both matches and have had shots at goal – but none really threatening the opponent goalkeepers.
Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei has been the lone bright spark on the pitch in the league this season. Both goals they conceded this season were because of the poor clearances by the defenders this season. He spoke to the media and admitted that there is a bit of disorganization on the pitch.
The surprise, however, has been their stunning goals in the CONCACAF Champions League. They are yet to concede a goal in the tournament and have scored 8 goals in 3 matches.
Seattle started with a 0-0 draw at FC Motagua but thrashed them in the return leg with a 5-0 result. Brian Schmetzer’s side were at home to Club León in the Champions League this week and managed to come out 3-0 winners.
They finally showed some solidity in defense and managed to keep the Mexican side at bay. Despite having over 70% of the possession in the game, the Liga MX side only managed a single shot at goal as the MLS side stood their ground and defended well.
This season, LA Galaxy have a 10 percent win record in the league, but their performances have been far from reliable. They started with a late winner at defending champions New York City FC and then needed a belter from Efrain Alvarez to win at Charlotte FC last weekend.
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez wriggled past the NYFC defenders on the opening day to win it for the home side in the final minute of the game. They did dominate the possession in the game but could not break the defense until the very end.
It was a similar situation in the second game as well, where they were away at Charlotte FC. Throughout the match, the record crowd was on their backs, but they were left stunned by Alvarez’s long-range goal.
Speaking after the game, Alvarez admitted that the home crowd was getting to them, and the goal was needed to silence them, saying he “wanted to shut down their party”. That should go well for him when he goes there next.
LA Galaxy had a decent pre-season with three wins in 6 matches, and just one loss. They will be keen on making the playoffs this season after missing out last season because of a negative goal difference
Seattle Sounders vs LA Galaxy | |
Teams | Seattle Sounders vs LA Galaxy |
Location | Lumen Field |
Time | Saturday, March 12 at 3.30pm EST |
How to watch | FOX, FOX Deportes |
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