Los Angeles FC vs Austin FC Prediction: No Room for Error

Los Angeles and Austin FC are set to clash in the Banc of California Stadium. These two recorded victories in their last playoff match and qualified for this round. Los Angeles FC beat LA Galaxy 3-2 and Austin FC beat FC Dallas 2-1. Austin FC deserves some credit in the head to head battle against Los Angeles FC because they have beaten the Los Angeles FC team in the last two meetings. But Los Angeles FC ended the season at the top spot and have been excellent all season. Now in the playoffs, both teams know what’s at stake. So you can expect a dramatic turn of events in such an encounter.

Los Angeles FC finished the 2021/2022 campaign at the top of the log with 67 points and are considered huge favorites to get to the final. They played some exciting football last season to keep them at the top till the end. In their first playoff match against LA Galaxy, they won 3-2. After going into the break level on the scoreline, Los Angeles FC came into the second 45 minutes guns blazing, and they were rewarded with 2 goals in the 80th and 93rd minute of the match. Forward Denis Bouanga put up a brilliant display scoring two goals in the match. Los Angeles faces Austin FC in this clash and it would be interesting to see how they respond against a team that beat them twice already last season.

Austin FC were also one of the outstanding teams last season and they ended in 4th in the MLS log with 56 points. Unlike their opponents, they had to see off challenges from Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas in the playoffs to get to this round. Against Real Salt Lake, they won on penalties after playing a 2-2 draw in regulation time. And then they went on to defeat FC Dallas 2-1. They took an early lead in the first half courtesy of goals from Moussa Djitte and Sebastian Driussi. Austin FC are a very resilient team and they will need to show that resilience against Los Angeles FC in this match. Austin FC beat Los Angeles FC in their last two matches and they can carry that confidence into this match.

The pair have faced each other 5 times throughout their history and it's a close competition between the two. Los Angeles FC have 3 wins and Austin FC have 2 wins. Los Angeles have not kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches against Austin FC and Austin FC are without a clean sheet in all 5 meetings against Los Angeles FC.

Both teams are capable of pulling out a rabbit here and it is important at this stage to be clinical and decisive. Los Angeles FC don't have a good record against the Austin FC, that they can be worried about and Austin FC can not take the champions for granted. Eitherway the encounter promises to be an exciting one for both sides but I expect Los Angeles FC to advance after a tough game.

• Bet on Home win or draw and Over 2.5 goals at 1.66 Odds
• Bet on Both teams to score at 1.60 Odds
• Bet on Correct Score 2-1 at 7.5 Odds