MLS Preview: FC Cincinnati at LA Galaxy predictions, picks and best bets

Esten McLaren | Sportsbook Wire

The LA Galaxy (9-6-1) pays a visit to the Eastern Conference basement-dwelling FC Cincinnati (3-11-2) Saturday at Nippert Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.

The expansion Cincinnati club is in 12th place in the Eastern Conference 16 matches into its inaugural campaign. It trails the 11-place New England Revolution by five points.

The Galaxy holds the second spot in the Western Conference standings, trailing only the rival LAFC by nine points.

Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; for a full-set of today's sports betting odds, access them at Paste BN Sports.

FC Cincinnati vs. LA Galaxy: By the Numbers

Jun 2, 2019; Carson, CA, USA; LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (9) and New England Revolution defender Jalil Anibaba (3) battle for the ball in the second half at StubHub Center. The Revolution defeated the Galaxy 2-1. (Photo Credit: Kirby Lee - Paste BN Sports)

FC Cincinnati has scored 14 goals with 33 against for an MLS-worst minus-19 goal differential.
The Galaxy has scored 22 goals with 19 against for a plus-3 differential. It's the fourth-best mark in the conference.
L.A. lost three matches in a row coming into Saturday. Cincinnati has just one win in its last six games.

Galaxy F Zlatan Ibrahimovic leads his club and ranks second in all of MLS with 11 goals scored on the season. He's done so in four fewer matches played than goals leader Carlos Vela of LAFC (16).
Cincinnati scores one goal per game and allows 1.5 per game when at home. L.A. scores and allows 1.1 per road match.

FC Cincinnati vs. LA Galaxy: Key Injuries

FC Cincinnati will be without D Greg Garza (calf), and Ms Roland Lamah (hamstring) and Jimmy McLaughlin (ACL). F Fanendo Adi (hamstring) is questionable.

The Galaxy will be without M Romain Alessandrini (knee).

FC Cincinnati vs. LA Galaxy: MLS Best Bet

</div> Moneyline: Take the top value of the draw (+250) with the Galaxy playing through a rough patch and struggling to find offense on the road. A draw would be a positive result for Cincinnati at home. Total goals: Over 1.5 total goals pays out at just -550, but UNDER 2.5 rewards bettors at +130. Back this play in expectation of a 1-1 draw. Spread 3-way: Following suit of our other two picks, the play is FC Cincinnati to cover +1 at -180. You can consider hedging by rolling with the Handicap Draw (+1) at +350. Follow Esten on Twitter <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/EstenMcLaren">@EstenMcLaren</a> MORE: <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/burmese-python-discovered-in-surprising-place/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Burmese python discovered in surprising place</a> <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/ufc-fighter-makes-opponent-flinch-by-screaming-in-his-face-during-staredown/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">UFC fighter makes opponent flinch by screaming in his face during staredown</a> <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/packers-eagles-goal-line-passes/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Packers' puzzling goal-line decisions end in disaster</a> <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/rangers-mike-minor-200th-strike-out-after-not-catching-foul-ball-on-purpose/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Rangers ripped for not catching easy foul ball so pitcher could reach milestone</a> <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/an-11-player-wall-couldnt-stop-this-indirect-free-kick-game-winner/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">An 11-player wall couldn't stop this indirect free kick game-winner</a></body></html>

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