Sporting Kansas City could very well be kicking itself after what went down on Wednesday night. The team could've locked up a playoff spot had it just beaten the worst team in the Western Conference, the Colorado Rapids at home. Now, it holds just a one-point edge on San Jose for the last spot in the playoffs heading into the regular season finale against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The Galaxy are sitting on 51 points, and a win will assure them of a crucial bye from the opening round of the playoffs. Anything less, and they're virtually certain to have to play in just a few days against very possibly this Kansas City squad. A loss, and the Galaxy could even drop as low as sixth in the West depending upon how things pan out.
This match was thought to be for the No. 2 seed in the West when it was arranged as the flex game on ESPN on Sunday night. Instead, Sporting is still fighting for its life. Getting up to the No. 2 seed is now virtually out of the question, and anything short of a win leaves the door open for San Jose to take the last playoff spot. The Earthquakes, who are a point back of SKC and would win a tiebreaker on goal differential, have a date with FC Dallas, a team which has zip to play for with the top seed in the West already locked up.
ODDS ANALYSIS
With all that's on the line in this match, it isn't surprising that SKC is the favored team at +120. However, this is a tough battle nonetheless, and the Galaxy are right there at +220 to take the three points and likely push Sporting out of the postseason.
The total is set at a lofty 2.5 and over -120 vig, a high number for a game with such importance to it.
KEY INJURIES
SKC has a ton of question marks coming into this last match, particularly in defense. Matt Besler, Kevin Ellis, Seth Sinovic and Ike Opara have all been out, a problem which plagued the team in a 2-0 loss to Colorado. Besler returned against Colorado, but he didn't look anywhere near effective. Soni Mustivar is also likely out of the fold with a groin injury as well.
The Galaxy only have one major question mark, that being Baggio Husidic in the midfield, who suffered a leg injury a few weeks back.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Galaxy aren't exactly in tip top form right now either, knowing that they have just one win since the end of August. That win though, did come against FC Dallas, proving that they can beat anyone in the MLS when they're at their best.
The problem is, they just haven't been that effective in the end. They're a far better team at home than on the road, and though the stakes are high in this one, we think they're going to fall short and be pushed to stay on the road for the rest of the playoffs.
There will be tense moments for sure at Sporting Park on Sunday, as one eye will be on the action in Dallas, but desperation will rule the day. We suspect we'll see a much better SKC team on the pitch this weekend than we saw midweek.
Sporting Kansas City 2, Los Angeles 1
The MLS lines for this contest were first released by BookMaker Sportsbook with Sporting Kansas City lined as a +120 moneyline favorite and a total of 2.5. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, spreads and totals. Live betting is open during every step of this match!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between Sporting Kansas City and the Los Angeles Galaxy is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Sporting Park. The match will be televised live on ESPN.
