Sporting Kansas City vs Los Angeles FC Prediction: LAFC have a greater chance to win

An important match for the two teams in jockeying position towards the tail end of the regular season, Sporting Kansas City takes on Los Angeles FC at Children's Mercy Park. Kansas sits 13th in the Western Conference, having obtained 8 victories, 7 draws, and suffered 17 defeats. A win is just what Kansas needs to get them away from the bottom half of the standing. Meanwhile, LAFC is fighting for primacy in 2nd place with 16 wins, 7 draws, and 8 losses to cut the gap at the top. Though this game pits the two teams against contrasting fortunes, the fact that Kansas is fighting for pride and LAFC for consistency makes the match a mouthwatering affair.

Sporting KC comes into this game in atrocious form, having lost four of the last five matches, including the 3-1 loss against St. Louis. The team has been inconsistent in the 4-3-3 formation, never really staying in good defensive structure and leaking six goals in the last three games. Their offensive production, while capable of creating chances, simply hasn't resulted in enough goals to turn their fortunes around.

Thus, Kansas places much emphasis on basic possession under their 4-3-3 system of play, having enjoyed an average of 53% possession in their last game. This is through width and crossing into the box, although at 19%, their crosses do not exactly show efficiency in that regard. They are also prone to giving up chances, having won just 40% of their duels and a relatively low success rate of 50% regarding long balls. On the other end, Kansas has really struggled, particularly in transition, and find themselves now vulnerable to the quick counter-attacking teams like LAFC.

On the other hand, LAFC is on a better streak, winning three out of the last five games, including a narrow 1-0 win against St. Louis in their last outing. Well-drilled into a 3-4-3 system, LAFC has been efficient in attack and defense, creating plenty of chances while managing to keep the back decent enough to maintain them within the top two in the West.

LAFC, with a 3-4-3 setup, are more flexible and direct. While they enjoy fewer possessions on average-44% against St Louis-they are clinical in fashioning the big chance and finishing it. Underlined by its 62% success in defensive tackles, that strong defensive structure is hard to break down. With a counter-attacking style, LAFC usually flourishes when teams press forward, and they are likely to take advantage of the defensive gaps Kansas will allow, especially out wide.

In the last 13 matches between Sporting Kansas and LAFC, the visitors have been dominant, carrying seven wins, while Kansas has managed to get four and two matches ending in draws. Besides that, LAFC is unbeaten in the last seven matches between them, which also shows their edge in this fixture. Notably, their last meeting in the MLS ended 1-1, but LAFC ran away 3-1 winners in extra time in the US Open Cup final back in September 2024. Low-scoring matches have been the order of the day between these two teams in recent times, with four of the last five meetings between them seeing less than 2.5 goals, a further confirmation that this should be tight.

SKC have been struggling on both ends of the pitch. They may create chances in their most recent game against St. Louis, but struggles to convert those chances into real goals. Their defense remains vulnerable, especially against those teams that apply high pressure or are capable of quick transitions. Now, the ability of LAFC to create and capitalize on big chances will be a serious threat. Poor home form, coupled with their current losing streak, and Kansas will surely have a hard time keeping up with the better tactical discipline and firepower of LAFC.

This game sees LAFC coming in with momentum and confidence, and thus they will arrive into this tie riding the good wave of form. Their defensive solidity and the ability to manage games from the midfield will likely pose problems for Kansas, especially if the hosts try to push forward and leave themselves exposed at the back. LAFC's 3-4-3 will enable them to counter quickly, and with Kansas having struggled defensively, particularly in wide areas, that's what LAFC will seek to exploit.

• Away/Draw + Over 1.5 Goals @ 1.65 Odds
• Away DNB @ 1.66 Odds
• Away @ 2.15 Odds