LAFC will go into their final MLS Play-Off Round One game full of confidence, against a team who rode their luck in the second of the three-game series.
Vancouver’s 3-0 win in that game came thanks to Ryan Gould and two own goals from LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead and Eddie Segura.
Gould also found the net in the game between the two sides back on October 28, but it was only a consolation in the 94th minute.
Both teams are capable of scoring goals though the hosts have more firepower with Denis Bouanga only behind Christian Benteke in terms of goals scored this season.
The winners already know that they’ll meet Seattle Sounders at the semi-final stage, after the Sounders triumphed in a dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout against Houston in game two.
LAFC Will Make Home Advantage Count
Having only lost once at home since mid-July, LAFC hold a big advantage over their opponents. Vancouver would need to beat their hosts for only the second time ever in order to progress.
| LAFC | Draw | Vancouver Whitecaps |
|---|---|---|
| -175 | +350 | +420 |
Head-to-Head: LAFC Remains Dominant
| Total | LAFC | Vancouver Whitecaps | Draws | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 23 | 12 | 6 | 5 |
| MLS Games | 19 | 9 | 6 | 4 |
| Goals | 75 | 49 | 26 |
Key Stats
- There have only been three goalless draws in this fixture stretching back to 2018.
- LAFC have scored two or more goals against Vancouver on 14 separate occasions.
- Vancouver’s 3-0 win over LAFC last time out was their first in eight games against that opponent.
- It was also their biggest victory to date over LAFC but came courtesy of two own goals.
LAFC Team News
Lorenzo Dellavalle is still out with a knee problem but other than that, Head Coach, Steven Cherundolo, has a full roster to select from.
Possible Lineup:
Hugo Lloris (GK); Sergi Palencia, Maxim Chanot, Aaron Long, Cristian Olivera, Timothy Tillman, Lewis O’Brien, Ryan Hollingshead, Mateusz Bogusz, Olivier Giroud, Denis Bouanga.
Vancouver Team News
As with their hosts, Vancouver has just one player out with a knee complaint, Jeevan Badwal being the one to miss out.
Possible Lineup:
Yohei Takayoka (GK); Sam Adekugbe, Ranko Veselinović, Tristan Blackmon, Sebastian Berhalter, Ali Ahmed, Andrés Cubas, Stuart Armstrong, Fafà Picoult, Brian White, Ryan Gould.
LAFC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Prediction
Whilst the visitors clearly can’t be discounted in a one-off winner-takes-all game, fortune favors the hosts.
With the likes of Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud used to the pressures that come with such encounters, LAFC holds a significant advantage.
Not to mention Denis Bouaga’s thirst for goals and the opportunity for him to overhaul Christian Benteke at the top of the scoring charts.
-
Tags:
Leave a Comment