The list Columbus as the favorites on Saturday at +120 odds for the MLS Cup. The current champs, LAFC come in at +210. That means the Crew has an implied probability of 45.45% to win in regulation. But when it comes to simply lifting the trophy by any means, be it winning in regulation, extra-time or penalties, the Crew are odds-on at -163.
The total goals in this game is set at 2.5 with the Over favored at -118 and the Under priced at -106.
Odds from the . Be sure to check out all of Bet365 s for this weekend s game to get the best value for your Columbus vs LAFC picks.
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How to Watch MLS Cup
The 2023 MLS Cup can be viewed for free on Apple TV at 4:00 pm EST on Saturday, December 9, 2023. In Canada, the game can also be viewed on TSN and RDS.
Crew Highest Scoring Team This Season
The Crew were third in the Eastern Conference this season but first when it comes to goalscoring. Considering they had a new coach in Wilfried Nancy and lost one of their top players in Lucas Zelarayan in mid-season, a return to the final after missing the playoffs last year makes them an unexpected finalist in this year s MLS Cup.
Their MLS Cup odds back in February were an average of +2550.
That goalscoring trend has continued in the playoffs where they ve scored ten goals in regulation and 13 combined including extra-time over their five playoff games, easily a playoff high, ahead of LAFC s nine goals.
The Crew s attacking style often leaves them exposed at the back. And their goals allowed in the regular season was just 13th-best. Their xGA was ninth and shots on target allowed was tied-13th.
Among the 18 playoff teams, their 46 goals conceded was the sixth-most. And that issue has also continued into the playoffs with them giving up eight goals in five games.
In the Eastern Conference Final they were almost run off the pitch early in Cincinnati falling behind in the 14 minute, entering half-time down 2-0 and almost conceding a third or even fourth goal in the second-half.
It wasn t until the last 20 minutes or so of the game which saw substitutes Julian Gressel and Christian Ramirez sub on, that the Crew rounded into form. From there they began to take over the game scoring in the 75 (own goal) and 86 to send the game to extra-time where Ramirez scored the winner with Cucho Hernandez assisting.
El Rey 👑
Can Carlos Vela help lead to back-to-back trophies? // pres. by Audi
Major League Soccer (@MLS)
LAFC Can Be First Back-to-Back Winners Since 2011/2012
If Columbus are a surprise entrant into the final based on pre-season expectations, LAFC, while underdogs in this game, were not so all season long in the odds. They started among the favorites in the MLS Cup predictions in the +450 range.
This will be their third final they ve participated in this season, but they ll be hoping to avoid going 0-3 in those finals. They previously lost to Club Leon of Mexico in the CONCACAF Champions League Final. As well as to another Mexican side, Tigres in the Campeones Cup Final.
While LAFC at times ebbed and flowed in their performances this season, they too finished third in the Western Conference. They finished the season on a high winning 5-2, 4-2 and drawing 1-1. Denis Bouanga won the Golden Boot, while defensively they were also strong.
The 39 goals conceded by LAFC was fifth overall, they were sixth in xGA and third in shots on target allowed.
In the playoffs they re a perfect 4-0 winning 5-2, 1-0, 1-0 and then 2-0 in the Western Final over the Houston Dynamo. LAFC only had the ball for 29% of the game, but their pressing, countering and transition game still produced 18 shots to Houston s 10 and six shots on target to Houston s five.
Ryan Hollingshead scored in the 44 minute off a corner kick and LAFC added a second late in the game in the 80 from an own goal.
It s now three-straight clean sheets for Maxime Crepeau and LAFC in the playoffs. And for Crepeau, who was forced to leave last year s final with a broken leg, the return to the big game this year will be special.
Columbus Crew vs Los Angeles FC MLS Stats
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