The Seattle Sounders have made it to the playoffs in every season they have been in the MLS. For each of the last nine seasons, they have finished no lower than fourth in the conference at the end of the regular season, and the Sounders have made it to at least the conference semifinals every season. That streak is in jeopardy this year. The team is currently sitting in eighth place in the Western Conference, and the Sounders know they need to start to climb up the ladder with just 11 games remaining. Seattle is within three points of eighth place Real Salt Lake and will be looking for a win when it faces the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.
Don't miss the Major League Soccer action from CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN.
MLS Betting at BookMaker.eu
Los Angeles Galaxy +351
Seattle Sounders -138
Draw +304
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
The Galaxy have cooled off a bit after a hot start to the regular season. They were sky high after one of the greatest comebacks in MLS history, erasing a three-goal deficit to rival Los Angeles FC in a thrilling 4-3 win, and it looked like the playoffs would be no problem with Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading the way. Ibra has the second-most goals in the MLS with 15 in 19 games, and he was red hot in July. However, the team’s woes have coincided with a goal scoring drought for him.
After tallying a hat trick in a 4-3 win over Orlando City at the end of July, Ibra has been held goalless in each of the Galaxy’s last three matches. Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy were unable to pick up a win in any of the three, losing on the road to Colorado and drawing at home against Minnesota United and Colorado. Those were costly points the team missed out on that might come back to bite them.
Meanwhile, Seattle is scorching hot at the moment. The Sounders are peaking at the right time, and they have shaken off a very poor start to the season that saw them in the cellar for many of the early months. They have played eight matches since the beginning of July, and they have picked up a result in all eight games.
Seattle has six wins and two draws in those eight, and this team is currently on a five-match winning streak. The defense has been sound, allowing just three goals in that span, and the offense has been coming together too. It’s been a good time to be a Sounders fan.
Key Absences
The Sounders have a long-term injury in forward Jordan Morris, but they may finally see midfielder Handwalla Bwana return to action this week. He has been sidelined with a midfoot sprain since the end of May and getting him back would be huge. Clint Dempsey is seen as questionable due to tightness in his lower back as well, yet there is good news on the injury front too. Both Victor Rodriguez and Kim Kee-hee have returned to the team and are good to go.
Los Angeles are going to be without some of their star players for this one. Defender Rolf Feltscher is a long-term injury, but the team had been hoping for good news on the status of midfielder Romain Alessandrini and forward Giovani dos Santos. Each player will likely miss this match and the next one as well though.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Ibra might be able to create a little magic against Seattle, but it won’t be enough. The Sounders have rounded into form, and they will not be denied the playoffs at this point. Grab Seattle on the three-way line here.
Major League Soccer Odds: Seattle Sounders 2, Los Angeles Galaxy 1
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
