Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LA Galaxy Betting Preview – MLS, November 8, 2020

Vancouver Whitecaps face LA Galaxy on Sunday, November 8, as the 2020 MLS regular season draws to a close.

With the playoff places already confirmed in the Western Conference, neither of these teams has anything left to play for this term. However, both sides will want to avoid finishing last in the West.

After assessing the bookmakers’ odds, I share my prediction and pick for Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LA Galaxy.

The top online sportsbooks view the Galaxy (2.20) as the favorite to win this one, with Vancouver (2.95) the outsider. But the high price for the Galaxy win suggests that this could be an open game.

With eight wins and 14 losses, the Whitecaps are the only team in MLS without a tie to their name this year, so I think we can disregard the draw (3.60) right off the bat.

Only five teams in the Western Conference have won more games than Vancouver this season, but the Caps’ inability to draw games has ultimately cost them a place in the playoffs.

Marc Dos Santos’ side currently sits ninth in the standings. Fifth-place Minnesota United has picked up the same number of wins, but while the Loons have only lost five games, Vancouver has suffered a whopping 14 defeats.

A run of three wins in four games last month put the Caps in a strong position to finish in the top eight, yet back-to-back losses to Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers have crushed the club’s playoff dreams.

Not only have Dos Santos’ men failed to score in three of their previous four outings, they also have the second-worst defensive record in the division, leaving them with the poorest goal difference in the West.

It’s been a tough season for the Canadians, but they have an opportunity to finish the campaign on a high.

Can't stop this man. ⚡️

Cristian Pavon takes it himself from midfield! #LAvRSL pic.twitter.com/bCepZxVBaT

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 2, 2020

On the topic of tough seasons, I think we can include the Galaxy in this conversation. The Los Angeles club has only managed to pick up six wins in 21 games this term, so it is hardly surprising that their postseason ambitions have not been realized.

The team has enjoyed a slight upturn in form since parting ways with Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Interim head coach Dominic Kinnear has overseen a win and a draw in the previous two outings, but it is too late for a resurgence.

Critian Pavon has tried his best to keep the Galaxy afloat. The Argentine has netted ten goals this season, including three in the last three games.

But with former Manchester United star Javier Hernandez failing to make the desired impact, the team has lacked a cutting edge in attack throughout the campaign.

Having beaten Real Salt Lake last weekend, the Galaxy will be brimming with confidence after holding one of the West’s best teams – Seattle Sounders – to a draw on Wednesday.

Kinnear’s men are finally showing everyone that they can compete with the strongest sides in the division, so I can see the Galaxy claiming all three points against the off-form Caps.