A Western Conference clash takes place under the lights as Los Angeles FC hosts a shorthanded Real Salt Lake side. LAFC looks to capitalize on their home-field advantage against an RSL team dealing with significant injuries.
Game Details:
- Matchup: Real Salt Lake at Los Angeles FC
- Date: Wednesday, September 17
- Time: 9:30 PM EST
- Venue: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
- Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
- Los Angeles FC: +130
- Real Salt Lake: +185
- Draw: +265
Betting Preview and Analysis
Los Angeles FC enters this midweek match as slight home favorites, but the odds suggest a competitive contest is expected. Playing at BMO Stadium is always a significant advantage for LAFC, who will look to leverage their potent attack and the energy of their home crowd. While LAFC’s final player availability report is still pending, they are expected to field a strong lineup for this crucial Western Conference showdown.
The biggest storyline heading into this match is the health of Real Salt Lake. The visitors will be without several key players, most notably their starting goalkeeper. The latest injury reports confirm that RSL will be significantly depleted:
- Zac MacMath (GK): OUT (Shoulder)
- Matthew Bell (FW): OUT (Hamstring)
- Diogo Gonçalves (MF): QUESTIONABLE (Hamstring)
- Erik Holt (DF): QUESTIONABLE (Achilles)
The confirmed absence of veteran goalkeeper Zac MacMath is a massive blow for Real Salt Lake. His experience and leadership at the back are difficult to replace, and his absence puts immense pressure on RSL’s defense and backup keeper to withstand the LAFC offensive onslaught. With forwards and midfielders also banged up, RSL’s ability to generate its own attack may be compromised as well.
Prediction
While Real Salt Lake has proven to be a resilient and competitive side, traveling to Los Angeles without your starting goalkeeper is a daunting task. LAFC possesses one of the most dynamic attacks in MLS, and they will surely test RSL’s replacement keeper early and often.
The moneyline favoring LAFC at +130 on their home turf seems to present good value, especially given RSL’s critical injury situation. Expect LAFC to control the tempo of the match and exploit the major personnel gap in the visitors’ net.
Prediction: Los Angeles FC 2 – 0 Real Salt Lake
Sources:
Player Availability Report – MLSsoccer.com
STATUS REPORT, pres. by HSS: New York Red Bulls vs. Real Salt …
Real Salt Lake News | New York City FC
Real Salt Lake City – Suspensions and Injuries | Transfermarkt
Real Salt Lake Team News – Soccer | FOX Sports
Charlotte FC vs Real Salt Lake: Odds, Spread, and Total – Fox …
Erik Holt – Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports
New York Red Bulls vs Real Salt Lake: Odds, Spread, and Total …
Real Salt Lake injury list and suspended players | BeSoccer
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