'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Los Angeles FC host Vancouver Whitecaps at the BMO Stadium on Saturday (October 28) in the first leg of the MLS Cup playoffs first round.
With 52 points from 34 games, Los Angeles finished third in the Western Conference in the regular season. The Black and Gold ended with two big wins in their last three games, a 5-1 demolition of Minnesota and a 4-2 defeat of Austin.
However, on the final day, Steve Cherundolo's side were held to a 1-1 draw with Vancouver. Denis Bounga's 34th-minute goal was cancelled out by Ali Ahmed in the second half.
Trending
Vancouver, meanwhile, accrued four points fewer than Los Angeles in the regular season and finished two places adrift of them in the Western Conference. The Village made a poor end to their league season, winning once in seven games, a 3-0 defeat of St. Louis and drawing their last two.
Los Angeles FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- There have been 15 clashes between the two sides, with Los Angeles winning six and losing five.
- Just one of their last six games have ended in draws, but it came in their most recent meeting: 1-1 in October 2023.
- In their previous eight visits to Los Angeles, Vancouver have won once, but it came on their most recent travels: 3-2 in June 2023.
- Los Angeles's Denis Bounga has scored in both meetings with Vancouver this season. He has struck six times in their last three domestic games (including a hat-trick to Minnesota).
- In their last five home games across competitions, LAFC have won twice and kept one clean sheet .
Los Angeles FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps Prediction
Los Angeles finished higher than Vancouver, but their recent meeting ended in level terms, with neither side showing up for the occasion. It was essentially a dead rubber, but this one's a two-legged playoff, where one side's dreams of lifting the cup will be over.
Expect more intensity, but the game could end all square.
Prediction: Los Angeles 1-1 Vancouver
Los Angeles FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes
