Tonight
the streaking Seattle Sounders head to Los Angeles to take on the Galaxy.
Seattle
are the considerable underdogs in the betting odds, but they will have anything
other than defeat on their minds.
Seattle
is certainly one of the hottest teams in the entire MLS right now. Winners of
three straight, the Sounders have also not been beaten in six consecutive
fixtures.
This
fantastic run has given the city of Seattle something to be hopeful about,
especially after two solid home wins in a row.
Last
Sunday the Sounders, fresh off a 4-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls,
rallied past the New England Revolution to win 2-1. They were down after just
three minutes but then got goals from Tyson Wahl and Alvaro Fernandez three
minutes apart late in the first half.
Win
again on Monday and the Sounders will be just one point behind the conference
leaders in the standings.
Of
course Los Angeles will have other ideas as the team aims to extend its lead
atop the West.
The
Galaxy are in the middle of an excellent streak themselves, having not lost
once in their last 10 matches. They are coming off a dull 0-0 draw versus the
Earthquakes in San Jose.
League’s
best takes on league’s hottest
Soccer
odds for Monday’s match are out and we see Los Angeles as the heavy favorite,
priced anywhere from -111 (5Dimes) to -125 (Bookmaker). Seattle meanwhile can
be backed at an attractive +372 to grab the three points over at Pinnacle.
The
Galaxy have dominated the head-to-head series over the Sounders in recent
years, winning five straight times over their Western Conference foes. That
includes a season-opening 1-0 victory in Seattle, made possible by a
second-half Vitor Junior goal.
For
Monday’s match however, there’s both good and bad news if you’re a Galaxy fan.
Landon
Donovan, having served his international duty for the Gold Cup, is expected to
return to the starting XI and will look to continue right where he left off.
Los Angeles will be more than pleased to get their leading goalscorer back.
Unfortunately
for head coach Bruce Arena, David Beckham is still not fully recovered from a
back injury and will likely miss his third straight game.
Starting
goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is also out due to a broken arm, while Josh
Saunders is suspended after receiving a red card in his last appearance.
Missing
so many important pieces, do the Galaxy have what it takes to hold off a
surging Seattle side?
Actually,
I’m not quite sure they do. Seattle, despite having a tremendous fan base back
at home, has played just as well on the road and should be extremely confident
heading into this game.
Brad
Evans could also return after missing some time with a knee problem. Leading
the team with four goals from the midfield, his return could be a huge boost
psychologically for the visitors.
FREE
Pick:
Given
they are one of the more balanced teams in Major League Soccer, I believe the
Sounders will hand in a good enough performance to snatch at least a point out
of Monday’s encounter and that is the result I am looking for in soccer betting.
Los Angeles 1 Seattle 1