{"id":21678,"date":"2023-08-10T10:58:40","date_gmt":"2023-08-10T14:58:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=21678"},"modified":"2023-08-10T10:58:43","modified_gmt":"2023-08-10T14:58:43","slug":"leagues-cup-predictions-picks-and-betting-preview-quarterfinals-best-bets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/soccer\/leagues-cup-predictions-picks-and-betting-preview-quarterfinals-best-bets\/","title":{"rendered":"Leagues Cup Predictions, Picks and Betting Preview – Quarterfinals Best Bets"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Leagues Cup Betting Advice<\/h2>\n

WagerTalk Soccer handicapper Nick Borrman<\/a> presents his Leagues Cup Quarterfinals predictions and picks around key matches including Inter Miami vs Charlotte and Philadelphia Union vs Queretaro on August 11.<\/p>\n

Which Leagues Cup teams are he looking to win and score goals? Read Nick’s betting preview now!<\/p>\n

Leagues Cup Futures Betting<\/h2>\n

This is a great time to check back in on our Futures suggestions we made at the beginning of the knockout rounds to discuss strategies as we move forward with only eight teams remaining. All four quarterfinals are set to be played on Friday, August 11.<\/p>\n

Three of four teams we selected are still alive. Monterrey, Philadelphia, and Miami will all play on Friday night as they try to secure their spot in the semifinals.<\/p>\n

Only Club America has been eliminated which, for ten minutes at least, had looked like they too moved on to the quarterfinal by beating Nashville in a PK shootout.<\/p>\n

Except unbeknownst to the players and most fans, VAR was quietly checking whether Club America\u2019s keeper had come off the line before the PK.<\/p>\n

Turns out he did, the kick was retried and successful. The very next Club America PK was missed, Nashville then scored, and Club America was sent home. It was bizarre to watch.<\/p>\n

Still, that leaves us in a pretty good position with some unique opportunities available to us. First, two of our Futures are set to clash in the semifinals should they win on Friday which guarantees one of them in the Final.<\/p>\n

So, by hedging both here in the quarterfinal, we are guaranteed to either have a risk-free chance at hitting a Future, or Net a few units for our hard work, or BOTH! Let\u2019s look at that side of the bracket first.<\/p>\n

Leagues Cup Quarterfinals Expert Predictions<\/h2>\n

Inter Miami vs Charlotte | Friday, August 11 | 8:00pm ET<\/h3>\n

Current Future: Miami +650<\/strong>
\nInter Miami -225 | Draw +400 | Charlotte +475<\/strong><\/p>\n

I mean, the Messi magic just keeps rolling on. It\u2019s like this tournament is scripted for him to win. Two more goals against Dallas (plus converting his PK) and he is now up to seven goals in four matches.<\/p>\n

Miami looks strong and continues to be the betting favorite, now down to around +200 at most books.
\nThe question is, does it make sense to hedge them?<\/p>\n

They are heavy favorites over Charlotte, currently sitting around -225 which does present decent value on Charlotte, but you would have to take them \u2018to advance\u2019 to hedge as just taking them to win the match could lose and still not hedge your future if Charlotte wins in PKs.<\/p>\n

There is one intriguing option though. Charlotte Double Chance (Win or Tie) at +165 could work nicely. We currently have 1-unit on Miami at +650.<\/p>\n

We could invest an additional 1-unit on that Double Chance and if Charlotte does happen to move on, we net +0.65 units. If Miami wins, we lose one unit and essentially now hold a 2-unit play on Miami at +275 (NET +5.5 units if the Future hits or lose two units on the Future + Hedge if they bow out later).<\/p>\n

However, there is a \u2018middle\u2019 possibility. Because the 3-way betting lines are settled in regulation, this match could go to PKs which would cash the Charlotte Double Chance, and if Miami then proceeds to win on PKs, we also stay alive on the +650 Future, now risk-free with a few bucks in the bank.<\/p>\n

Official Recommendation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Double Chance does provide a unique opportunity to us, and I think it makes a lot of sense to do it. PLAY CHARLOTTE +0.5 (DOUBLE CHANCE) +165 for the same risk you have on the Miami Future and let\u2019s hope for the Middle!<\/p>\n

If you do not have a Future on Miami and are looking to wager on this match, play on Inter Miami to Score in Both Halves (+110)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Union vs Queretaro | Friday, August 11 | 8:00pm ET<\/h3>\n

Current Future: Philadelphia +1200<\/strong>
\nMatch: Philadelphia -240 | Draw +425 | Queretaro +500<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is very little doubt in my mind that Philadelphia is the better team and I love our current position. But, just like Miami, the Union are heavy favorites, so we have some options.<\/p>\n

We could look at the exact same scenario as what we played in the Miami match, Queretaro Double Chance +175 which would give us that unique opportunity to cash that wager plus keep our Future alive.<\/p>\n

However, with a bigger reward on the line for Philly, I think it makes more sense to protect our investment a little better.<\/p>\n

This time I would recommend looking at taking Queretaro to Qualify at +260. We currently have 0.75 units on Philadelphia which would Net us +9.0 nits should they win the tournament.<\/p>\n

The exact amount to hedge with is personal to what you want to guarantee yourself, but I\u2019ll suggest going with 1.25 units.<\/p>\n

If Queretaro wins, we Net +2.5 units (+3.25 on Queretaro, Less -0.75 on Philadelphia), If Philadelphia wins, we move forward now holding a 2-unit ticket on Philadelphia +387.5 (NET +7.75 units if the Future hits or lose two units on the Future + Hedge if they bow out later).<\/p>\n

Official Recommendation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Queretaro TO QUALIFY +260 for 1.25 units<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you do not have a Future on Philadelphia and are looking to wager on this match, look at Under 3.0 Goals (-110)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Even though these teams met in the group stage with Philadelphia winning 5-1, xG did not show that lopsided of a match.<\/p>\n

Philly has also been strong defensively this tournament while Queretaro is not a high-scoring team so a clean sheet from Philadelphia here would not surprise me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Los Angeles FC vs Monterrey | Friday, August 11 | 10:30pm ET<\/h3>\n

Current Future: Monterrey +1400<\/strong>
\nMatch: Los Angeles FC +120 | Draw +260 | Monterrey +205<\/strong><\/p>\n

I fully believe Monterrey is the best team remaining in this tournament, but they still sit as the 5th betting favorite. Of course, playing on the road for every future match doesn\u2019t make things easy, but they are a very organized defensive team.<\/p>\n

LAFC joined the competition in the knockout rounds and there was some hesitation as to how they would perform immediately in their first match after such a long break.<\/p>\n

Well, those questions were quickly put by the wayside as they netted a combined 11 goals in their two matches.<\/p>\n

However, facing Juarez and Real Salt Lake is far cry from facing Monterrey who finished last season\u2019s Apertura and Clausura combined leading Liga MX in both actual goal differential, +37 in 34 matches, and xG at +0.72 per match.<\/p>\n

However, as much as I like Monterrey, LAFC seems to be the toughest hurdle in their way. I\u2019m not worried about hedging again should Monterrey win and then face either Minnesota or Nashville. So, I look at this match as the one that could keep them from the final.<\/p>\n

Though, because LAFC is the favorite to move on, we cannot guarantee a profit and eliminate our risk. We would have to increase our risk and lessen our payout, but Monterrey could eventually still lose, and we haven\u2019t protected our original investment.<\/p>\n

For example, if we hedge with LAFC and Monterrey win, we haven\u2019t won anything yet. We now carry the original Future + Hedge with Monterrey as a combined risk.<\/p>\n

If Monterrey were to then lose in the semifinal or final, it would be a loss that we would have to deduct from our potential Future win on the other side of the bracket, which we must compare against the lowest payout option, that being Miami.<\/p>\n

In the scenario we laid out above, after a Hedge on Miami, we are set to win +5.5 units should they win the tournament. If we are carrying a now 3-unit total risk on Monterrey, that would result in a Net of only +2.5 units for all our Futures work.<\/p>\n

In this scenario, I want to simply just remove our risk should Monterrey lose and get a \u2018free ride\u2019 on this match.<\/p>\n

So, I\u2019ll just play the exact risk we have on Monterrey, as a \u201cto win\u201d amount. Meaning, risk 1.1625 units to win 0.75. If LAFC wins, we don\u2019t lose anything on our Future, but if Monterrey moves on, we now carry a 1.9125-unit risk on them, call it 2.0 for simple math.<\/p>\n

Now in the Miami winning scenario, we would maximize our return on them at +3.5 units.<\/p>\n

Official Recommendation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

PLAY Los Angeles FC to Qualify (-155)<\/strong> for risk of 1.1625 units.<\/p>\n

If you do not have a Future on Monterrey and are looking to wager on this match, look at Under 2.75 Goals (-115)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Though LAFC has looked very good offensively, Monterrey will look to take the air out of this match, frustrate LAFC, and not let them play the style that they want. Monterrey will try to win this match 1-0 as they have the talent to play out the match should they grab the lead.<\/p>\n

\"Fan<\/a><\/p>\n

Interested in placing a Leagues Cup bet? Visit FanDuel to get a $1,000 no sweat first bet<\/a> in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia or Wyoming.<\/em><\/p>\n

Leagues Cup Free Picks at WagerTalk<\/h3>\n

Visit our Soccer Free Picks Page<\/a> where our handicappers are consistently loading up free plays across the weekly MLS slate!<\/p>\n

Stoppage Time | Weekly Soccer Preview<\/h3>\n

Join Carmine Bianco, Kevin Dolan, Nick Borrman, Bryan Power and Pavlos Laguretos for Stoppage Time every Tuesday and Thursday breaking down betting angles across the European soccer schedule!<\/p>\n

\"\u26bd