Counter-attacking hosts will look to trouble high-pressing LAFC
This game features two of the most interesting and contrasting tactical coaches in the USA MLS right now as Los Angeles FC’s Steven Cherundolo attempts to get the better of Nico Estevez’s Austin FC. Both coaches play a form of high-tempo football that dominates territory, but their approaches could not be more different.
Cherundolo likes to play with the ball from the top down, using possession to set the tempo, build up from the back and create chances by pinning the opposition in the penalty area. His 4-3-3 has an aggressive, high-pressing system to try and dominate the game when they do lose it.
Estevez’s men, on the other hand, set up in either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 with similar personnel but there is a lot more balance to the system and they pick their moments for pressing. Our Austin FC vs Los Angeles FC prediction highlights that Austin FC are more counter-attacking and the midfield interchanges are designed to produce a transition attack when the time is right.
LAFC have been on a wobble
The home side is unbeaten in two at home and come into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Seattle Sounders following a 2-0 home win over 614318 last weekend. Their overall form is patchy, having won two, drawn and lost two of their last five.
Both of these sides are chasing a playoff place in the Western Conference and will see this as a big opportunity to gain an important three points. In the standings, they are level on 26 points, with LAFC in 16th while Austin FC occupy 18th.
When looking at the current form and their positions, this Austin FC vs Los Angeles FC preview shows how crucial the match could be for the playoff race. Los Angeles FC have had a more difficult few weeks with just one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five in all competitions. They lost at home to Esperance Tunis and Vancouver Whitecaps either side of a hard-earned 1-1 draw with Flamengo RJ.
Cherundolo’s side look to edge it
In the head-to-head record, Los Angeles FC have the edge in the USA MLS 2025 with four wins to one in the seven meetings to date. The latest Austin FC vs Los Angeles FC prediction saw Austin FC win the last clash 1-0 away three months ago.
But the hosts have not won any of their previous three at Q2 Stadium against LAFC and this could be a similar scenario with the bookies giving the away side a slight preference at 2.38 compared to Austin FC 3.00 and the draw at 4.00. According to the Austin FC vs Los Angeles FC odds, there is a narrow margin between the two teams, making the outcome tough to call.
Austin FC have won four, drawn four and lost twice in ten home games in the USA MLS 2025, scoring and conceding 0.80 goals per game at average. LAFC have won just once away with a poor return of four draws and three losses, conceding an average of 2.25 goals and scoring 1.88 per road game.
With LAFC coming into this off the back of their only recent away match, it is easy to be concerned about their away form.
However, the visitors could edge this one by the slimmest margin in a tightly contested 90 minutes. We will be backing over 2.5 goals in the match, however, as Austin FC look to attack an away defence that does not get the best conditions. Our Austin FC vs Los Angeles FC betting tips suggest focusing on goals for this encounter.
This Austin FC vs Los Angeles FC prediction points toward Brandon Vazquez, who has five goals in 19 USA MLS games for Austin FC and could score the only goal to break the deadlock on Sunday.