Leagues Cup is back and all 4 qurterfinals are on this Wednesday, August 20. After Phase One, in 9 days and 54 games, the BTTS is 41-13. The BTTS & Over 2.5 is 33-21 and simply Over 2.5 is 37-17. When in doubt, you should probably bet on goals.
The record between MLS and LigaMX is:
- Reg win: MLS 23-15
- PK wins: LMX 11-5
- Goals: MLS 104-78
But, with no need for all out attack anymore for qualification there could be less goals as we enter the knockout round. Still, with the way most of these teams play, we can probably make a strong case for goals. Let’s break down each game for our Leagues Cup predictions.
Inter Miami vs Tigres Prediction
5pm EST
Miami’s LC games: 2nd in Group A, 2-1-0
- 2-1 win over Atlas
- 2-2 draw with Necaxa, then PK win
- 3-1 win over Pumas
Since the tournament, they got routed by Orlando 4-1 and then beat the Galaxy this weekend with Alba, Messi and Suarez all scoring. So Messi came back from injury and instantly made an impact.
For Miami, the BTTS bet is now recently 18-5 across their past 23 overall matches. The BTTS & Over 2.5 is 9-2. Miami has just 2 clean sheets in their past 23 overall matches as well.
Tigres’ LC games: 3rd in Group B, 2-0-1
- 4-1 win over Houston
- 2-1 over a rotated San Diego
- 2-1 loss to a rotated LAFC
Returned to LigaMX with a touchdown vs Puebla winning 7-0, with 6 different scorers and an OG. But on Sunday lost 3-1 at home to Club America.
Tigres lost this weekend but are 5-0-2 in their last 7 overall matches.
Picks
With Messi back in the lineup, anything is possible. But Miami just got by Atlas and Necaxa ansd then got routed by Orlando. This team never keeps clean sheets and thinking that will change vs Tigres seems unlikely.
Tigres looked great for 2 games, but then lost to LAFC’s backups. But they’ve not failed to score in 7 games, scoring a total of 20 goals. In Phase One of LC, Angel Correa tied for the scoring lead with 4 goals, to go woth 7 shots on target.
In 4 LigaMX games, Tigres’ games have seen the most GPG at 4.8, with them scoring 13 and allowing 6.
- Leagues Cup: BTTS (-180) or BTTS & Over 2.5 (-125)
Toluca vs Orlando City SC Prediction
6pm EST
Toluca’s LC games: 1st in Group B
- Drew 2-2 with Columbus and won in PKs
- 2-1 win over Montreal
- 2-1 win over NYCFC
Paulinho tied for the scoring lead after those games with 4 goals and 6 shtos on target.
Back in LigaMX, they beat Juarez 2-0 and drew Pumas 1-1 this weekend. Their games have seen the 3rd-most GPG at 4.2, scring 13 and allowing 8. When looking at all comps, the BTTS is 7-2 and they’ve scored in 10 straight. The BTTS & Over 2.5 is on a 7-2 run as well.
Orlando’s LC games: 4th in Group A
- 1-1 draw with Pumas and PK loss
- 3-1 win over Atlas
- 5-1 win over Necaxa
Those high-scoring games continued back in MLS with 4-1 and 3-1 wins over Miami and SKC since.
Ojeda had an assist vs SKC and now has a goal or assist in 15 straight MLS games. Ojeda had 2 and Muriel 3 goals in their last game vs Necaxa in LC.
The Lions have won 4 straight by scores of 2-1, 3-1, 4-1 and 3-1. Between MLS and LC, they’ve also not lost in 7. But BTTS bets have been basically a blind way to bet Orlando games. It’s 12-0 and 14-1. The BTTS & Over is 10-2.
Picks
Both of these teams have been scoring and conceding for weeks. Orlando’s DPs are flying. Toluca has one of the top tournament scorers. Orland are at home, but Toluca are the Mexican champs.
- Leagues Cup: BTTS (-200) or BTTS & Over 2.5 (-140)
- Parlay Picks: MIA vs TIG btts / TOL vs ORL btts (+133)
Seattle Sounders vs Club Puebla Prediction
8pm EST
Seattle’s LC games: 1st in Group A, and the only 3-0-0 team
- 7-0 win over Cruz Azul
- 2-1 wn over Santos Laguna
- 2-1 win over Club Tijuana
Routed the LA Galaxy when they returned to MLS 4-0, but went to Minnesota this weekend and lost 1-0.
That loss is their only defeat in 11 games. Since losing to PSG in the CWC, they had gone 7-3-0, outscroing opponents 29-12. That’s a ton of goals, but now only 3 clean sheets in 11. They had scored multiple goals in 8 straight games before the Loons game.
Puebla’s LC games: 4th in Group B, 2-0-1
- 3-0 win over NYCFC
- 3-1 loss to Columbus
- 2-1 win over Montreal
Back in LigaMX, they got pumped 7-0 away to Tigres and then lost again this weekend 2-0 to San Luis.
Puebla only had 9 pts in the Clausura, and it’s not started much better in the Apertura where they’re 1-0-4 and outscored 14-4. They have no real stars and are a very young with most players under 25.
Picks
Puebla are the tournament outsiders at this point and Seattle were the only perfect team last round, and this weekend notwithstanding, have been in solid form for a while.
- Leagues Cup: Seattle to win (-150) or SEA to win and over 1.5 (-120)
LA Galaxy vs CF Pachuca Prediction
845pm EST
LA’s LC games: 3rd in Group A, 2-1-0
- 5-2 win over Tijuana
- 1-1 draw with Cruz Azul and PK loss
- 4-0 win over Santos Laguna
It’s been 2 losses since though, first a 4-0 loss to Seattle, and then a 3-1 loss to Messi and Miami, two other teams that moved on in Leagues Cup.
LA are 5-3-5 in their last 13. in all comps They’ve scored in 14/17 and scored multiple goals in 5/9. But defense is always a problem having conceded in 26/29 games this season. They’ve allowed the most goals in MLS and 7 combined in their past 2 games.
Pec has 1+ shot on target in 14 straight. Paintsil has had a sot in 13/14. No player had more shots on target than Paintsil during Phase one of the LC than Paintsil’s 11 in 3 games.
Pachuca’s LC games: 2nd in Group B, 2-1-0
- 3-2 win over San Diego
- 1-1 draw with LAFC and PK loss
- 2-1 win over Pachuca
Back in LigaMX, they beat Atlas 3-0, but then lost 2-0 to Tijuana, despite Tijuana taking a 63-minute red card. And Pachuca having 23 shot attempts.
Through 5 games Pachuca are atop the Apertura table at 4–0-1, scoring 1- and allowing 4. That’s tied for the fewest goals allowed so far.
Picks
Pachuca has had a ton of international experience lately. They played a friendly with Al Ahly, then met Salzburg, Real Madrid and Al Hilal in the CWC. And while they didn’t win any CWC games, they scored vs Salzburg and Madrid and have been solid in Mexico. And that form continued in LC where they only lost once in PKs. Getting shut out this weekend is just the second time in 12 overall matches they’ve nto scored.
The options can be BTTS (-240) or BTTS & Over (-165). Or BTTS and Paintsil to have 1+ shot on target (-150). If I’m picking a winner, I think in LA, with a chance to salvage something from this season I’d pick LA. Moneyline is +175, To Advance is -106.
- Leagues Cup: BTTS (-240) or BTTS & Over (-165)
- Parlay Picks: SEA to win and LA vs PAC btts (+133)
Before you make your Leagues Cup predictions, check out the best new customer promo codes from all the top sportsbooks! Want more picks in video form, visit the Shred The Spread YouTube Channel for more!
Ryan Métivier is a seasoned editor, writer and communications professional with years of experience in all fields. When it comes to covering sports, he’s written for numerous outlets and organizations including the OHL, CHL, SportsXpress, Sports Betting Dime, Cleveland.com, MassLive, FanSided and others.
While he’ll always cheer for his hometown Toronto teams, when it comes to betting, his only allegiance is his bankroll. Ryan specializes in global soccer, the NFL and the NHL, but if there is a bet to be made, he’ll make it. As the founder of Shred The Spread, Ryan focuses on combining storylines, trends, analytics and good bankroll management to creating simple bets that make sense.
When not making a case for why both teams will score in an MLS soccer match, he can be found focusing his efforts on fitness, attempting to learn Spanish, cooking or planning his travel adventure.
