{"id":5531,"date":"2022-04-23T10:21:21","date_gmt":"2022-04-23T14:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=5531"},"modified":"2022-04-23T10:21:23","modified_gmt":"2022-04-23T14:21:23","slug":"cincinnati-vs-lafc-prediction-and-betting-odds-mls-april-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/soccer\/cincinnati-vs-lafc-prediction-and-betting-odds-mls-april-24\/","title":{"rendered":"Cincinnati vs LAFC Prediction and Betting Odds | MLS April 24"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cincinnati vs LAFC Betting Preview<\/h2>\n

WagerTalk soccer handicapper Nick Borrman offers his Cincinnati vs LAFC betting preview for Sunday, April 24. After winning only four matches last season, FC Cincinnati is already half way toward that total in 2022. But how much have they actually improved? We should learn more on Sunday…<\/p>\n

Stay on top of the latest Soccer<\/a> updates direct from Las Vegas!<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Sunday, April 24<\/th>\nMLS Betting Notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
LAFC:<\/td>\n-105<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FC Cincinnati:<\/td>\n+270<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Draw:<\/td>\n+285<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total:<\/td>\n3 Goals (Odds Above Courtesy of DraftKings<\/a>)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Game Time:<\/td>\n5:00pm ET \/ 2:00pm PT<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Cincinnati vs LAFC Analysis<\/h2>\n

I wrote an article earlier this month previewing another LAFC match and started off by discussing their 2021 performance, or rather, their underperformance. They were second in the entire MLS in xG differential per game at +0.63 per game yet somehow failed to even qualify for the playoffs. They parted ways with their manager Bob Bradley and perhaps that was the golden ticket that has turned the team around.<\/p>\n

LAFC’s Turnaround<\/h3>\n

In comes Steve Cherundolo at the helm and LAFC is now atop the xG table with a +1.18 differential per game. However, this time around they are getting the results in line with those underlying metrics. They lead the Western Conference with a 5-1-1 record and +10 goal differential, scoring 17 goals already in just seven matches.<\/p>\n

On top of the manager change, Carlos Vela is back healthy for the team and scoring goals once again as he managed just nine goals in 28 matches over the last two seasons. In either case, the positive regression is certainly a welcome sight in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

An Improved Cincinnati?<\/h3>\n

I would quickly answer yes, they are improved from last year, but that wasn\u2019t hard to do as they were the worst team in the league with just four wins in 34 matches with an ugly -37 goal differential. xG backed up those results as they averaged the worst differential in the league at -0.59 per game.<\/p>\n

This season, they are already halfway to last year\u2019s win total as they have two wins to go along with one draw. However, this is where I argue their improvement may not be as good as it looks, rather, their results have been the product of a fortunate schedule.<\/p>\n

More telling of who this team is can be found in their last match, a 0-0 draw at Atlanta which on the surface seems solid, but underneath, screams major problems. They allowed a whopping 3.40 xG to Atlanta on 22 shots, yet somehow kept the Three Stripes off the scoreboard. Cincy meanwhile didn\u2019t register a single shot on goal.<\/p>\n

\"MLS<\/p>\n

Cincinnati vs LAFC Prediction<\/h2>\n

It’s hard to look past LAFC here in this game. They are in the top four offensively in average shots and shots on goal per game while ranking in the the top three defensively in those same categories. Plus, I already mentioned they rank No. 1 in the MLS in xG differential while also leading defensively, allowing just 0.81 xGA per game.<\/p>\n

If we see xG numbers anywhere near like Cincinnati\u2019s last match, I fully expect LAFC to put away those chances so I\u2019ll gladly grab LAFC -0.25 (-120)<\/strong> on the Asian handicap, which will likely reach -0.5 by kickoff.<\/p>\n

\"Nick<\/a><\/h3>\n

Soccer Betting 101<\/h3>\n

New to betting on soccer? Not familiar with all the wagering options, such as three-way betting and the Asian handicap? What stats should a novice soccer bettor focus on? What are some basic tips and strategies? Carmine Bianco and Nick Borrman joined Kelly Stewart to share some tips to novice soccer bettors.<\/p>\n

\"Soccer