It’s been a very nice start to the season for LAFC. Not many expected the expansion club to perform well with the number of question marks it had coming into this campaign, but the team has looked good and is currently in the middle of the pack.
Atlanta United is looking to build off of an impressive debut in its expansion year. The club led the MLS in attendance and hosted a playoff game, but they ran into the red hot Columbus Crew and were ousted. Atlanta is looking to return to the postseason and is looking to make a deep run there.
Don't miss the Major League Soccer action from Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 7, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN.
MLS Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
LAFC +411
Atlanta United -181
Draw +358
Over/Under 3.5
Odds Analysis
Although LAFC has done a good job of securing road victories this season, Atlanta has one of the best home field advantages in the MLS and is an odds-on favorite here. The club has won both of its home games by multiple goals, putting LAFC in a tough spot.
Life on the road has to be getting old for LAFC. The club did have a couple weeks off and played a pseudo-home game in its derby against the Los Angeles Galaxy, but the club won’t have a home game until the end of April. Keep that in mind here.
Recent Form
Kudos to LAFC for starting strong. The club was able to get a win on the road against Seattle in the opener, but the Sounders did dominate the run of play, outshooting LAFC 22-5. In its next match, LAFC exploded after allowing an early goal to Joao Plata, routing Real Salt Lake 5-1. Diego Rossi was brilliant with a brace in the match as well.
However, the club is certainly kicking itself after blowing the first ever Los Angeles Derby. LAFC was up 3-0 two-thirds of the way through the match before the Galaxy turned it on to get an incredible 4-3 win. The club simply collapsed at the back at the tail end of the game or else they would be sitting at 3-0 and atop the Western Conference.
Atlanta has done what good teams do by shrugging off an early loss to the Houston Dynamo. The club allowed Houston to score four times in the first half on the opening weekend of play, but they have looked much better at the back since then.
Although Atlanta has not played any team that is considered likely to make the playoffs over its last three matches, it has performed well in consecutive wins over D.C.United, the Vancouver Whitecaps, and Minnesota United.
Key Absences
Coming into this match, LAFC has a couple injuries to note. Starting goalkeeper has already been ruled out with a right tibial stress fracture and right back Omar Gaber will miss the match with an LCL sprain.
Atlanta has a bit more to worry about with multiple starters set to miss this match. Midfielder Ezequiel Barco is close to returning, but he has already been ruled out for this match as he continues to recover from a right quad strain. Defensemen Franco Escobar and Jose Hernandez will miss the match too, potentially exposing Atlanta on the flanks. Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz is hoping to be able to play, but he is considered questionable after leaving the last match with an ankle injury.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
LAFC has started the season well, but they have also been extremely fortunate. An incredible 22.5 percent of their shots have found the back of the net, well above the all-time single season mark. There is no way that will keep up, and Atlanta will take advantage with some great play from Darlington Nagbe in a win.
Major League Soccer Odds: Atlanta United 3, LAFC 1
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